My eyes open to the ceiling of a hospital room. The beeping monitor quickens. It reminds me of the sound my heart made right before I jumped out of the car. Flashes of the red-haired Uber driver and the car doors snapping locked attack my mind. I hold my head. I feel bandages wrapped around it. The same goes for my arms, legs, and neck. I can't move an inch without the fabric rustling. My hands are bruised-black and paler than usual.

There's an IV hooked into my left arm that drips fluid. I try to sit up and regret this right away. My neck clatters terribly, and the skin all over my body stretches like glue. The skid marks covering my body blister and prickle. I hiss through my teeth and lay backward with a long whine. How did I get here? I recall a blurry figure. I think it was a woman in a robe that came to the rescue. I can't believe this! This all feels so surreal.

"Oh, you're up." A female doctor says from the door. "How are you feeling?"

"Horrible."

"I'd be surprised if you said otherwise. You're lucky to be alive, Ms. Hart. You got pretty banged up." The doctor paces to stand beside me.

"My skin...will it...will I need surgery?"

"As of right now, no. Most road burns heal within 2 weeks. New blood vessels grow to create new skin cells. If, and only if, this process fails, then you'll need surgery."

"My head." I hold my temple and hiss at the shaking nails sensation across my forehead.

"I've ordered scans for a full body analysis, don't worry. Just rest."

I nod and inhale slowly. "How long ago did I get here?"

"About 6 hours ago."

"What time is it?"

"5 am."

I recall that my cell got thrown out the window. "Is there a phone I can use?"

The woman takes a wired one from a table by the door and brings it to the bed. "Your friends are in the hallway. I can allow them in if you're up for it?"

"I am...thank you."

"You're welcome." The doctor exits.

I look at the monitor, my heart rate is elevated. The beeping noise is rapid. I hold my breath for a few seconds until it decreases, then exhale. The door opens a lot faster this time and with more force.

Lily, Jessica, and Brad stampede in; their faces are grief stricken. "MADDY, OH MY GOD!" Lily tries to hug me but halts because of the bandages. "I was scared to death when you left me that text! I tracked the ride; everything seemed okay." She sniffs; her eyes are bloodshot red, and her voice is unsteady. Jess mirrors her girlfriend's sadness, and Brad is chalk white in complexion. His gaze is stuck on all the bandages on my body. "Then the news report..."

My head spins at her words. "News report??"

"Yeah, the woman that found you called the cops. I reported the asshole. Uber is getting shitted on. As they should. I can't believe that creep got hired; he had sexual assault charges. Fucking shitbag!" She rages.

Jessica holds her closer and frowns. "I hope the cops kill the scum."

"How are you?" Lily sniffles, wiping her eyes. "I know that's dumb to ask."

"It's not..." I smile, but it breaks due to muscle tension. I flinch. "I don't know how I feel...all of this feels fake." My voice is blank.

"It makes no damn sense." Lil's lips quiver.

I look at Brad. He looks like he needs medical attention. I don't think he's blinked yet. That must be the shock. I don't know why I'm not in it...or am I? My complexion is colorless; I think that's a sign.

Lily follows my line of vision. "Let's give them the room. Do you want anything to drink?" I shake my head. "Okay." She goes to the door, patting Brad on the shoulder before leaving.

When the door shuts, I smile at him. I flinch from the tight muscles again. Agony shoots through my entire body. My face tenses uncomfortably. He jets to my side in alarm to softly caress my smile lines. Tears swell in his toffee eyes. "This is my fault."

"Don't say that."

"It is...I should have followed my gut. It was too late to take a ride...and too far. I should have forced you to stay...or carried you to my car and took you home. But I didn't. I should have..." The remorse in his voice is dooming; so are the tears that streak down his cheeks.

"Don't do that." I chide. "I'm the one who was being stubborn. Don't you dare blame yourself!" I use my thumbs to wipe away his tears.

"That's all I can do...the fucker is on the run. The cops are too far behind...and I'm useless."

"Baby..." My thumbs stroke across his eyelids now; Brad closes them and sighs. "You're not useless. You're here with me." I peck his lips and rest my nose on his. "That makes you the best boyfriend ever."

"I should be doing more."

"Shhhh..." I shush him. "Just hold me."

We stay in this embrace for some time, breathing and crying in unison. The temperature we emit reminds me of a warm blanket in the winter. Of a good moment. But this isn't a good moment. It's bitter. Reality still isn't resonating as it should. This feels like a bad dream...a nightmare.

I'm on the news...the cops are on the hunt for the driver. My friends are a wreck. I'm stuck in bed for 2 weeks. I feel like I'm in someone else's body, watching it all unfold. I don't remember falling asleep or even closing my eyes.

I realize I'm dreaming when I wake up in bed with Brad. We both have on wedding rings. Also, the dreamy haze points to it being all in my head. For some reason, we have three dogs, Golden Retrievers. Hmmm, why dogs and not kids? Maybe my mind took his love of them too far. We walk the pets down the street, coming from a house with a picket fence and ultra-green grass. A picture-perfect neighborhood. I'm overjoyed...and untouched by my current injuries.

Then everything goes dark, I assume I'm about to wake up, but another dream begins. I walk a window-filled high rise in heels. It's nighttime. The atmosphere is different. It's more so a high-life vibe than the American dream. I don't know where I'm walking, but I look good in the blackberry velvet dress that clings to my body in all the right places. My hands open a wooden door to a black, edgy, modern office.

There, at a desk surrounded by windows, sits Jace Harrison with his sparkling green eyes. "Hello, darling. Are you ready for tonight?" His lips move in a peculiar motion I can't fully explain. His voice is unbearably fine.

"I am."

He stands from his desk and walks away from the most dazzling view of the city I've ever seen. Jace's broad shoulders in a suit jacket are unmatched. His black hair and height are addicting. His eyes are static. We're dressed in the same shade. I love the color. Jace offers his hand. I lay mine into it. The billionaire smooches the satin glove I have on.

Brightness wakes me from the strange dreams. I cover my eyes from the sun, wondering what time it is. What day? I feel woozy from all the medication I'm on. I rub my eyes as I search the room for my squad. None of them are here. Instead, there are baskets of silk peony flowers. Pink ones that range from the lightest to the darkest shade. The baskets they sit in are incredibly tall and pure white.

The beautiful flowers gleam in the sun as if a part of my imagination. I blink and rub my eyes to confirm that I'm back in reality. "I must be dreaming still..." I tell myself.

The doctor enters, smiling warmly at me. "Good morning. Isn't it a beautiful, sunny day?"

"It is...it's very sunny," I reply politely. "Umm...tell me...are those really here? Or am I hallucinating??" I point to the flowers.

The doc chuckles at my unusual tone. "Oh, those are real. I see how you would think they're fake. Peonies are unbelievable."

"So, they're real?" I eye the baskets suspiciously.

"Yes." She strolls over to one and plucks a folded card from it. "The sender left a note."

When she hands it to me, I study it, then the flowers. "They must be from my boyfriend."

"If so, you're a lucky girl. Most men get roses." She fakes a barf, then goes to the monitor to adjust its functions. I grin at her joke before unfolding the card. I read the note. My heart reacts faster than my mind. The monitor beeps at double speed. I peer at the name like a deer caught in headlights. What? No way. But why?

WISHING YOU WELL, DARLING 🤍 JACE HARRISON

The cursive writing reflects the sunlight like a mirror.

#Romance
#Love