Read Online Late Night with Andres by Debra Anastasia - Free Book Online

found each other. And an immense satisfaction that their connection was still there.
    “I’ve to go. I need to go check on Syd.” He didn’t let go of her hand, though, but continued rubbing her palm in comforting circles.
    “He’s doing great. Does he know? About you, that is? Because he’s still getting better. You wouldn’t want to scare him.” She shifted so she could touch his other hand as well.
    “Oh yeah. I had to tell him. He would’ve burned this place down if he thought I was dead. We’re stupid for each other.” Gage held both her hands. “So did that policeman ask you on a date? Or did your boyfriend have something to say about it?”
    Milla looked at him funny. “What the hell? I have a boyfriend now?” Her flying heart beat faster. She loved the way the word boyfriend looked on his lips.
    “That’s what you said—back when we were in the room—that you had a boyfriend.” He sat back a bit, seeming to want to give her space.
    She looked at his handsome face for a while before she replayed the conversation from the room again in her head. “Oh. Wait. My cat’s name is Boyfriend. I don’t have an actual guy that, like, waits for me. And the policeman has stopped by a few times. He just had questions for me.”
    “Sure he did. Same questions or did he invent new ones to be around you?” Gage released one of her hands and rubbed the back of his neck.
    “It’s not like that. He’s being professional.” Milla tried to swallow the glee she felt when she realized he was jealous.
    “You named your cat Boyfriend?” He looked at her from under his lashes, ready to make fun of her.
    “No. The Humane Society named him, you smartass.” Milla tried to pull her other hand away, and he squeezed.
    “Don’t be mad. I think it’s sweet that you rescued your kitty.” He bit his goddamn lip hotly.
    Milla wanted him to say the word kitty a hundred million times. “Yeah?”
    Again the TV intruded, the murmuring voice telling the world again of Gage’s recent decline, his inability to write songs.
    “I’ve written a few songs,” he said shyly.
    “Tell me about them.” She waited.
    He cleared his throat. “I don’t know if it was the adrenaline or the experience or whatever, but it was like there was never enough paper in my recovery room. I wrote on the walls, my arms, the bed sheets. Everything.” He pulled up one of his sleeves to prove it, revealing ink scribbled across his forearm. She brushed her fingers on the marked skin. The word her kept reoccurring. She touched it.
    “Me?” she asked with a raised eyebrow, surprised at her own brazenness.
    He blushed deeply. It was obvious even in the inconsistent lighting. “I forgot what this song was about.”
    He pulled his sleeve down again. They waited, the TV voice giving way to commercials, happy and demanding no matter what the tone of the program they interrupted. The hospital noises filtered in as well. Soft footsteps by Milla’s door caused them both a moment of panic. When they carried on, Gage took a deep breath.
    “I’ve really got to get going.” He made no effort to get up.
    “Will you stay hidden forever?” Milla tried to get up the courage to let go of his hand. She couldn’t.
    “I don’t think so. I can’t believe it’s gone on this long. I would’ve liked the break a bit more if…” He swallowed.
    She didn’t press him, letting him just be here. He was here, visiting her of all people.
    “Sorry I was mean to you sometimes in the room.” She decided it was time to be a little nice herself.
    “You weren’t mean. Thick-headed and stubborn, but you weren’t mean. I’ll tell you what…” He stopped and covered his mouth.
    “What?” She tried to encourage him with her eyes.
    “Nah, I shouldn’t.” He looked over his shoulder.
    “Listen, from one nine toe-er to another, you can. I promise I won’t bite.” Milla couldn’t wait to hear what he had to say.
    “I thought you were really brave. And