Page 123 of Wish Upon A Star
He grins sheepishly. “Um, so. Jolene. I, um, sort of mastered and released the music we recorded.”
“I honestly am so confused, Wes. Like, I’m super pissed you did that without asking, without telling me. It’s been out there a month and it’s been downloaded who knows how many times, and I’m just now finding out about it.” I rub my face. I’m antsy to get up, to walk around, but my doctors still want me to ease into activity. “I’m also amazed. Because, it’s…it’s amazing. It’s honestly a really, really good EP. We sound amazing together.” I play the opening to my song, then pause it again. “But I’m also kind of mad, because this one was…it’s really, really personal, Wes. I only shared it with you because I love you and I trust you, and it was a super vulnerable moment. It’s like having my journal published, or something.”
He wipes his face. “Jo, I’m sorry. I should have asked you, first. I just…this was when they…when they weren’t sure what was going on, if you…if you…” His shoulders shake, and he buries his face in his hands for a moment, before meeting my eyes again. “If you were going to make it, or if the MRI machine was wrong, or…or what. And I had my laptop, somehow, and it was on there, and I needed to hear your voice. I needed to feel you. So I just…I worked on it. And the more I worked on it, the more I realized it was really, really incredible and special, and with how people were responding to the video of you on stage, and the proposal before it, I just knew the world needed to hear it. Needed to hearyou. Your voice, your song. Us together, and I’m on it, but really, that last piece, the one you wrote, it’s the centerpiece of the whole thing.”
I sigh. “I just don’t understand how you forgot to tell me.”
He shakes his head. “I have no excuse for that. You got better, and then filming…I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have found out the way you did, and I apologize.”
I pull him closer. “I forgive you.” I nuzzle his cheek. “I know it’s all over TikTok, but how many people have listened to it?”
He grins. “I checked the numbers on the way here.” He hesitates for a moment. “Six million, so far.” He fidgets with the ID bracelet on my wrist. “The other thing, is, um…the LLC I set up?”
“BritPark,” I say. “I did notice that.”
“It’s in your name. Legally.” He holds my gaze. “All the proceeds are yours.”
I blink. “Wait, what?”
“Did you think I was going to publish this EP without telling you and keep the proceeds for myself?” He laughs. “I set up a private account in your name, and all the income the EP are yours and yours alone. Which, so far, is making you quite a tidy sum.”
“You’re for real?”
“You’re a top-charting musician, babe.”
I shake my head. “I’m still mad at you for doing it without me and not telling me. But I forgive you. And also, holy shit.”
He sighs. “I’m proud of it.”
“Me too.”
I’min Dr. Miller’s office. For the first time in my life, it’s not Mom and/or Dad in the office with me. It’s Wes.
I still can’t get over the ring on my finger. When Grandma saw me wearing it for the first time, she started crying so hard I was honestly a little worried.
“Just happy, my dear,” she’d assured me, hugging me in a fiercely tight grip. “Just so happy.”
Now, Dr. Miller is scanning my file, and my latest scans—taken just this morning. His eyes are wet. “Jolene, sweetheart, I can’t tell you how stunned I am. Happy, overjoyed—but stunned. Of all the possible outcomes, this is the least expected, and the one I hoped for most.” He closes the file. Takes my hands in his big, hard, rough, old ones. “You’re officially, finally discharged, Jolene Park.”
I squeeze his hands back. “We’re not actually, legally married yet, but I’m going by Britton. Jolene Britton.”
He smiles at me, bright, and happy for me. “I can’t help but wonder at the coincidence that this happens right when you find this young man.”
I grin, wriggle happily like a squirmy puppy. “I know, right? I’ve had that thought myself.”
Dr. Miller pats my hand. “We’ll do yearly scans, of course, just to keep a wary eye out. But you, my dear, sweet, little warrior, are a free woman.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thank god. I love you, Dr. Miller, but I amsosick of this hospital.”
“I bet you are,” he says. Leaning back in his chair, he eyes us. “So, when you are two lovebirds gonna tie the knot?”
Wes answers for me. “As soon as possible. I have my manager working on it right now.”
I glance at him, then at Dr. Miller. “You have to come, Dr. Miller. You’ve been a key fixture in my life since I was a little girl. You’re almost like a second father to me.”
He smiles kindly. “More like grandfather, but I take your meaning.” A nod. “I’d be honored to attend your wedding, Jolene. Let my secretary know when and where, and I’ll be there.”
We say our goodbyes, and Wes and I leave the hospital together. I stop in the guest parking lot and turn around.