The Affair: Week 8 by Beth Kery Page B

stay with you, for as long as you want me.”
    Her heart started to thrum in her ears as he looked down at her with a lancing stare.
    “Forever,” he said.
    She blinked in shock at his steadfast demand.
    “Forever is a long time,” she whispered.
    “It won’t be long enough,” he stated grimly before he was leaning down, and she was lost again in his kiss.
    * * *
    The golden-pink light of sunset was peaking around the closed curtains in her hospital room when Amanda and Colin stood to say it was time for them to go. Emma had studied the couple closely during the last few hours, seen the way they communicated with only a glance, the warmth in their eyes when they looked at each other. Maybe it was just her new, profound happiness because of what had happened with Vanni earlier, but Colin and Amanda really did seem
right
together. It made her feel both glad and heartsore. She’d assumed
she
was the wronged party when they’d gotten together despite her realization that she didn’t want to be with Colin herself. Maybe, in fact, she’d been the one in the wrong for keeping them apart for all these years, all because she needed the security of Colin.
    But all of that was over now, and in the past. When it came time for them to leave, Emma hugged Amanda extrahard.
    “I love you,” she said earnestly in her sister’s ear when their heads were close.
    Amanda pulled back and studied her face. Tears filled her blue eyes.
    “I love you, too,” Amanda said.
    Emma put out her arms to Colin, who looked shocked by the gesture. She noticed Vanni’s eyebrows go up in doubtful wariness across the room, but he didn’t say anything. As she watched him over Colin’s shoulder, his guardedness and skepticism slowly faded and was replaced with a small smile.
    The couple left them alone. Emma had been placed in a private room—a fact that she firmly believed Vanni was responsible for, even though he’d merely shrugged and changed the subject when she’d asked him about it earlier.
    Vanni pulled up a chair close to her bed. A nurse’s aide knocked and entered. She poured a glass of ice water for Emma and left the pitcher on her bedside table. After the aide left, Vanni leaned forward and grabbed Emma’s hand. Emma hadn’t been able to keep her eyes off him all day. He was a miracle to her. The feelings she was having were miraculous, too. Yet all the while in the background, a black, heavy threat hovered. She was going to have to tell him about Cristina, and soon. From what he’d told her about his confrontation with Vera on the phone earlier, Vera might be vindictive and pounce the truth on him at any time.
    “How are you feeling?” he asked, the low, gravelly sound of his voice making her skin prickle with awareness.
    “Fine. Ready to go home,” she replied with a sigh because he was lazily stroking the skin of her inner forearm, and it felt so good.
    “Well you’re going to have to be patient,” he replied, giving her an amused, pointed glance. “Since we have plenty of time, why don’t you tell me what’s bothering you?”
    She tensed, her gaze sharpening on him. “What do you mean?”
    “There’s something weighing on you,” he said matter-of-factly, still stroking her arm. “You’re not very good at hiding things, baby,” he chastised her when she gave him a forced look of surprise. She grimaced and he gave a gruff laugh. He stood and she scooted over for him to sit on the edge of her bed. He squeezed her hand. “Just say it, Emma. I’m not going anywhere.”
    “No?” she asked, attempting to smile but not succeeding very well, given the way his gaze narrowed on her face with concern.
    “Not a chance. I’ve told you I’m not letting you go. I’m willing to face death again, if I have to, that’s what today taught me . . . that’s what last night did.”
    “Last night?” she asked curiously.
    He gave her a stern glance. “I’ll tell you about it another time. Right now, you talk about