“What is it?” I asked, still smiling.


    Yuna bit her lip, hesitating. “Is my surgery going to cost a lot?”


    My heart sank. I’d been worried she’d ask that. “Not at all,” I said quickly. “It’s really affordable. Plus,


    Hayden Justnded a great gig as chief engineer, so we’re good.”


    She didn’t respond, so I slid closer. There’s this thing called the “proximity effect“-sometimes trust


    isn’t about words, just being there.


    I gently ran my fingers through Yuna’s hair. The doctor handling your surgery is my bestie’s friend.


    He’s the best. All you need to do is focus on getting better. You’re going to be fine.”


    Tears welled up in Yuna’s eyes. “Keira, you


    kind.”


    I smiled. “Well, if I wasn’t, Hayden wouldn’t have stuck around.”


    Yuna giggled. “You and Hayden are like a storybook couple.”


    Thinking of all the romance novels she devoured, I teased, “Once you’re better, you’ll have your


    own love


    story.”


    Her face turned red, and I could tell she’d thought about it.


    What girl hasn’t? It exined why she kept reading the same romance novels over and over.


    While she finished packing, I went to find Hayden. He wasn’t in his room or the yard.


    Where could he have gone?


    Curious, I stepped out of the house and scanned the area under the moonlight. Off in the distance,


    down by the riverbank, I spotted him.


    Even in the dark, I knew it was him. There was a time I could pick out Jace’s car by the sound of the


    engine or hear his footsteps before he even showed up. Now, it’s the same with Hayden–I could


    spot him from a mile away, no face needed.


    Once someone’s in your heart, you just know.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    headed toward him. He was so deep in thought he didn’t notice meing, so I snuck up behind


    him and wrapped my arms around him in a yful hug.


    Hayden tensed for a split second, then softly asked, “What are you doing here?”


    1 let out a small, teasing huff. “Who am I? How’d you know it was me? Why didn’t you think it was


    one of


    the girls around here who’s crushing on you?”


    I couldn’t help butugh at the hint of jealousy in my own voice.


    “No one else would have the guts. And…” He paused, giving me a knowing look, “your scent is one


    of a kind.”


    So I’d slipped into his heart too.


    I moved in front of him, looking up into his eyes. “What are you doing out here all by yourself?


    What’s on your mind?”


    “Just getting some air,” he said, staring at the river. But could see the tension.


    I snuggled closer. “You’re worried about Yuna, aren’t you?”


    He didn’t answer, but I knew. Even with the best doctor there were no guarantees. Hayden, who


    faced everything head–on, was terrified of losing her.


    I understood that fear. It was the kind of loss he couldn’t bear.


    Suddenly, a scary thought hit me–if something went wrong, would he me me? But if she didn’t


    have the surgery, Yuna’s time was limited. There wasn’t much choice.


    “Hayden,” I whispered, resting my head against his chest, “don’t worry. Yuna will make it through. I


    know it.


    He gently rested his hand on my head. “I know. Whatever happens, I’ve made my peace. You don’t


    have to carry that burden.”


    I froze he’d sensed my fear.


    “It’s going to be okay,” I whispered.


    “Yeah,” Hayden murmured, holding me close as we stood together, wrapped in the quiet of the


    night.