The Final Omen: Second Sight Book Four by Heather Topham Wood

Kate’s father had never been particularly fond of Jared, mainly because of the seven-year age difference between the couple, and the fact Jared had been involved with Nikki when Kate first met him. She hoped her dad hadn’t dredged up old resentments while she’d been recovering.
    Kate looked past her dad at Jared. A vein was pulsing in his forehead and she could tell it was taking a concentrated effort for him not to argue with her dad. She appreciated Jared reining in his annoyance and keeping the peace.
    “Dad, please. I’m too tired to fight with you and I only want a minute alone with him,” she begged. Her dad may be tough on her, but she also knew he cared about her enough to relent when she really needed something. At the moment, she needed Jared.
    “Fine,” he huffed. He turned and addressed Jared. “But I don’t want you saying anything that’ll upset my daughter.” Her dad pressed a kiss on her forehead before striding out of the hospital room.
    Her mom squeezed Kate’s hand. “Don’t worry about your dad, sweetheart. It’s been a tense few days and he’s only concerned about you getting better. You were pretty out of it yesterday…” Her mom trailed off and gave Jared a knowing look before continuing. “And I think he’s terrified of losing you.”
    “Why? What was I like yesterday?” Kate’s eyes volleyed between her mom and Jared. The day before was a blur, the memories surreal, feeling more like dreams than actual moments of lucidity.
    “You just mumbled a lot of stuff that didn’t make much sense,” she said kindly.
    “And you may have asked Jared to take off his shirt while your dad was in the room,” Declan added helpfully.
    “Thanks Declan,” her mother snapped. She grabbed him by the arm. “I’ll take this nuisance away now, so you can have some time alone with Jared.”
    “I’m glad you’re okay, Kit Kat. Don’t scare us again like that,” Declan said before allowing Kate’s mom to lead him out.
    Kate’s energy was depleted and she didn’t have it in her to snap at him for using the annoying nickname he’d assigned her. She cringed as she cast a sidelong glance at Jared. “Did I really ask you to undress in front of my dad?”
    “Yes, I felt very objectified by you,” he joked while pulling a chair over to the side of the bed. “Kate, it was no big deal, honestly. You know Declan loves to be a shit stirrer.”
    She understood that about her friend, but wondered why they were talking about Declan like Jared was unbothered by the psychic. So much had obviously changed while she’d been unconscious, she wondered if she’d actually been in a coma for years instead of days.
    Kate cleared her throat. “So you love me, huh?”
    “I expected to tell you in private and in a way to sweep you off your feet, but it slipped out before I could plan my delivery better,” Jared admitted. “I had regrets of not telling you sooner.”
    “What do you mean? Like when I was dying and said it to you first?” she asked meaningfully.
    “I’m sorry, Kate. If I told you then, I was afraid you wouldn’t come back to me. Like that moment would be our way of saying goodbye to each other.” He confessed. “I never want to say goodbye to you. I love you.”
    Despite everything her body had been through, Kate was still able to find the ability to smile. “I love you, too.”
    Gently, Jared leaned over and brushed his lips against her mouth. She closed her eyes and felt the strongest sense of contentment. It seemed like a lifetime ago when she felt the softness of his mouth against hers. After the initial tease, his kiss was firmer and she felt a familiar heat building inside of her. She wanted to shake with relief. She’d almost been robbed of beginning a new chapter with Jared, but for some reason she’d survived.
    She let out a half-laugh as he pulled back. “This is a pretty great way to wake up. Maybe I should go into a coma more often if it makes all of the sucky things