Page 49 of How You See Me (You and Me Duology #2)

“Tell me about the trip,” Ava says when the door clicks shut. “What was your favorite part?”

“I really enjoyed the fossil dig and the red rocks in Arizona.”

“Those would have been my favorites, too.” She beams as a bout of coughs shakes her entire body. Her fingers tighten around mine until it releases her .

Studying the heart monitor, my own heart lodges somewhere in my throat. Her numbers are slower than they should be. Should I call the nurse?

“Tell me more.” Her broken voice brings me back to her. She’s weaker now, her head resting back on the pillow, but she seems determined to ignore it.

I dive into the story, exaggerating like I would when she was little, making it bigger, wilder, even better than real life. She deserves that.

“What about Josie?”

My spine stiffens at the sound of her name. “What?”

“You left Josie out of the story.”

“Did I?” My free hand dives through my hair. “I didn’t mean to. I guess it hurts too much to think about her.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s not with me.”

“I get it.”

That makes me smile. “You do?”

“It’s how I feel when I forget George at home and have to do my treatments without him.” She drags her favorite stuffed giraffe out from under the blanket, its long, squishy legs dangling in the air.

“I bet George misses you, too, when you’re gone. I know I did.”

She curls the animal into her chest and rolls toward me. “Will you marry Josie?”

“Well . . .”

Isn’t it too soon to be thinking about marriage? We don’t know yet how our relationship works outside of vacation mode and there’s the long-distance issue. What about my career? How does Josie fit into that world? Do I fit into hers?

Despite all those questions, the only answer I can consider with confidence is, “I’d like to one day. If she’ll have me.”

“Why wouldn’t she? You’re the best.”

That soothes the ache some. It’s not the first time she’s said it, but I guess I needed to hear it today. “Thank you.”

“She said she wanted to be with you when she gets back.”

“Dating and marriage are two different things. We still have a lot to figure out before we talk about an engagement.”

“Like what? Don’t you love her?”

“Almost as much as I love you.”

She giggles, but it’s low and hoarse, not the windchime song she had before getting sick. “What else is there?”

“You watch too many fairy tale movies.” I let out a sarcastic chuckle. “She may be beautiful as a princess, but I’m no Prince Charming.”

“No. You’re better. I bet you’re like the knight who makes her feel safe.”

“I hope so. But how can I do that when I’m at the base or overseas?” The question spills out of me faster than I can stop it.

I know Josie’s capable of taking care of herself, and she’s braver than she gives herself credit for. But if we’re together, I’ll want to be by her side, protecting her, encouraging her, loving her in every possible way. And not just through letters or video calls whenever I have a free moment.

“Haysie?” Ava asks like I blanked out and missed something.

“Yeah?”

“What were you thinking about?” Her eyelids flutter slowly, fighting sleep.

“In a roundabout way, I think I’ve officially decided to retire sooner than later. I don’t want to wait.”

“Retire?”

“Leave the Marines.”

“Does that mean you can come visit me more?”

The soothing warmth of a long overdue homecoming radiates through me, realizing what retirement truly means. “Better. I can go and live anywhere I want.”

“Oh.”

“And you know the best part?”

“What?” A new energy buzzes in her movements, sensing my excitement.

“I’ll be able to do more than just visit.”

“Really? We could see each other every day?”

“Yep. I could pick you up from school and take you to dinner. We could go on weekend trips or vacations together.” I squeeze her hand. “We could have sleepovers.”

“Deal. When can we start?”

My chest swells with hope. This feels right. “Well, that depends.”

“On what? ”

“On you accomplishing my list.”

The table has turned on her, and she quickly realizes it. Eager anticipation gives her an energy surge. “What do I have to do?”

“First, you have to kick cancer’s butt.”

“Already working on it.”

Her quick wit makes me smile, but it doesn’t last despite my attempts to hold it in place. She still has an uphill fight ahead of her. “And you will because you’re tough.”

“Like you. What else?”

“Paint a rock for me to keep as a lucky charm.”

“Why do you need luck?”

“My boss isn’t my biggest fan, and he’ll be ready to show me all my shortcomings when I get back.”

“He’s mean to you?” Her lips, too dry for my liking, pinch into a hard frown.

I reach for the cup of water on the table and hold the straw in front of her. She drinks without question.

“That’s not the description I’d use, but I’m not going to say it in front of you.”

“Is it a bad word?”

“Oh yeah.”

“Then, I'm glad you’re leaving. I bet he’ll miss you when you’re gone.”

“I doubt it.”

“Will you miss being a soldier?”

I bite back the cringe my body has in response to that innocent question.

Marines aren’t soldiers. They’re Marines, period.

Soldiers belong to the Army. But that’s a lesson for another day.

“I’ll miss some things—my friends, the challenge, the purpose it gives me.

But I didn’t realize how miserable I’ve been until I got away from it. ”

“I knew.”

“That’s because you’re not only tough, you’re smart, too. You were very clever with your scheme.”

A little pink hue appears on her cheeks—a gift for my tattered soul. “Is that all on your list?”

“One more thing. I need your help making something for Josie.”

“Really?” Her eyes widen. “What is it?”

Taking her hand, I lean in. “Can you keep a secret?”

She nods.

“We’ll need all the art supplies you’ve got.”

“Mom brought stuff in case I got bored, but I haven’t felt like doing anything.”

“How do you feel now?”

“Excited to draw.”