“So he’s expressed interest in letting you jerk him around?”

  “Stop,” I say with a laugh. “And yes, he’s expressed interest.”

  “Gianna, honey, this is just what you need. A nice, thoughtful, sexy man and a hot rebound, since you’ve been in hermit mode since the meltdown with jackass.”

  “I couldn’t do that to him. He’s not that kind of guy.”

  “Girl, every guy is that kind of guy.”

  “Milo is different. He’s… He’s very sweet and sincere. He’s not the kind of guy you use for a rebound. He’s the kind of guy you marry.”

  “Interesting that you’ve already got that figured out about him.” She gives me a side-eye look. “You know it’s okay to like him, right?”

  “Yes, I know that, and I do like him. It’s just everything is such a mess for me right now.” I haven’t told her that the wedding venue is suing me, because I worry she might murder Jared if she hears about that. She’s been fiercely protective of me since everything happened. “The timing isn’t right.”

  “Fuck the timing, Gianna. You just said he’s a nice, sweet guy who obviously likes you and wants to spend more time with you. Do not let what that dickhead did ruin this chance for you. Don’t you dare do that.”

  “It’s not about Jared. It’s about me. I was so desperate for someone to make things better for me that I ignored the red flags with Jared until it was too late. I don’t want to make another mistake.”

  “A man who sends lunch to you and your colleagues is not a mistake. Jared never would’ve done something like that.”

  “No, he wouldn’t have.”

  “You don’t have to go all in with Milo, but I think you’ll regret it if you don’t at least give him a chance.”

  “I know,” I say with a sigh. “I’ve already had that same thought.”

  “So why are you so down in the mouth about a nice, sexy guy showing interest in you?”

  “I’m not down in the mouth.”

  “Yes, you are. You look like you did right after Jared called off the wedding.”

  “I do?”

  “Yep.”

  “Well, I don’t feel the way I did then.” I hope I never again go through anything as devastating as that was. It wasn’t as bad as losing my parents, but nothing will ever compare to that trauma—I hope.

  “Look, I understand that you’ve had way more than your share, starting in college when your friend went missing, your parents dying and then the shit with Jared. I give you so much credit for surviving all that. I know you’re leery after the disaster with Jared, but don’t be so afraid of getting hurt that you never take a chance again. That would be truly tragic.”

  “I hear you. Thank you for the pep talk.”

  “Any time.”

  The intercom on the table buzzes. “Annie, your patient in 3A needs you.”

  “I’m coming,” she says. “Back to the grind. Thanks for lunch.”

  “Glad you enjoyed it.”

  After Annie leaves the break room, I think about what she said. She’s right, and I know it. I can’t lump Milo in with Jared or any of the other men I’ve dated. I already know he’s different, and perhaps that’s what scares me the most. If I give him a chance, I’ll probably fall in love with him. That’s what I do. In recent years, I tend to fall fast and hard because I’m trying to fill the gaping hole inside that resulted from losing my parents so suddenly. I know this about myself, and I’m trying to be more cautious, especially after Jared disappointed me so profoundly.

  I take my phone out of my pocket and compose a text to Milo. Thank you so much for lunch. Everyone loved it. You didn’t have to do that, but it was very nice of you! I’ll stop by after work to see how you’re doing.

  I reread the text twice before I send it and return to work, taking thoughts of him with me as I go.

  * * *

  MILO

  I’m on a break from PT when my phone chimes with the text from Gianna. I’m glad to hear the lunch was a hit. I’m sure Nico went all out since he’s full of guilt. I wish he wasn’t, but I do appreciate his help with my campaign to make sure Gianna is thinking of me until I can get out of here and see to it myself.

  My lead therapist, Derek, says I’m doing great and should be able to go home in another week, which would be awesome except that will take me even further away from the place where Gianna works. Will I ever see her again when I leave the hospital? God, I hope so.

  I haven’t felt this way about a woman in a long time. The last time was in college when I dated Michele for two years and assumed we’d get married after we graduated. She had other plans, and by the time I found that out, I already had a ring and a plan to propose. It took me a long time to bounce back from that disappointment, and I haven’t dated anyone seriously since her.

  I could be serious about Gianna. That much I already know for sure, and no, it’s not because of the heightened emotions surrounding a serious injury that have caused me to develop a huge crush on my nurse. That’s not it at all. It’s her. She’s easy to talk to on top of all the other things that have me thinking of her more than I’ve thought about anyone in years. I feel like a caged tiger stuck in rehab inside this stupid halo that’s keeping me from her.

  That’s why I’m doing extra workouts every night, hoping that the more I do, the quicker I might get out of rehab and the halo so I can see her away from this place. I’m already feeling so much stronger than I was when I got to rehab.

  Part of me wonders if my attraction toward her will still feel magical outside the hospital. How could it not? I’ve never been this dazzled by a woman, so I have to believe that will last long beyond my hospital stay. I can’t wait to find out what’s next with her or to be able to convince her to give me a chance as a fully functioning man and not this injured, feeble version of myself.

  I’m back in my room resting after another punishing session with the PTs when my Nona shows up, carrying a tote bag and bringing the smell of something that has my mouth watering.

  “How’s my sweet grandson today?” Nona asks, kissing the back of my hand.

  “Hanging in there. How are you?”

  “I’m fine if you are. Don’t you dare ever do something like this to me again, you hear?”

  Smiling, I say, “Yes, ma’am.”

  “You took five years off my life, and at my age, that’s not time I have to waste.”

  “You’re going to live forever.”

  “Ha, don’t I wish? But while I’m still here, my grandchildren aren’t allowed to scare me the way you did.”

  “What’s this I hear about Nona’s boyfriend showing up at the hospital? I said that can’t be true because my Nona doesn’t have a boyfriend.”

  Before my eyes, my grandmother blushes. “Stop it.”

  “You stop it and tell me all about him.”

  “Are you hungry? I brought your favorite meatball sub from the restaurant.”

  “I’m starving, and that sounds awesome, but quit trying to change the subject.”

  She gives me a playful scowl as she cuts the sub into small pieces that’ll fit through the halo.

  I take a bite and moan from how good it is. There’s nothing in this world I love more than a meatball sub from Giordino’s. “Fess up. What’s his name and how’d you meet him?”

  She returns to her seat next to my bed. “His name is Chris, and he’s teaching me to fly.”

  “Actually or metaphorically?”

  “Milo! Stop being saucy with your Nona.”

  I laugh like I haven’t laughed in days. She’s so cute.

  “He’s teaching me to fly airplanes, you fresh brat.”

  “I hear he’s a little bit younger than you.”

  “Ugh, yes, like fifteen years younger. I have no idea what he wants with an old lady like me.”

  “Who are you to call my Nona old? She is timeless and, like a fine wine, aged to perfection. Anyone would be lucky to date you.”

  “You always were such a charmer,” she says with a chuckle. “But thank you. I keep thinking of the expression that there’s no fool like an old fool.”

  “Does he make you happy?”

  She seems startled by the question. “Yes, I guess he does. We laugh a lot.”

  “I’m happy for you, Nona. Truly.”

  She gives me a skeptical look. “You don’t think I’m an old fool?”

  “Never. I’m glad to see you finding some happiness after working so hard for so many years.”

  “It’s been great having Dee managing the restaurant. She’s made it easier for all of us to take some time off and enjoy life a bit.”

  “You certainly deserve to smell the roses. You’ve all worked so hard to make that place such a big success.”

  “Vincent is all about quality of life these days, and I can’t deny he might be right.”

  “Are you thinking about retiring completely?”

  “Oh God, no. I’d go mad without something to do every day, and besides, work keeps me sharp, which is helpful while dating a younger man.”

  I laugh at the grimace she makes. “He’s lucky to have you, and I’m sure he knows it.”

  “He was right there for me when this happened.” She waves her hand toward the halo. “I couldn’t believe when he showed up at the ER that night.”

  “I heard there was quite a stir.”

  “Which was the last thing I wanted when all our focus needed to be on you.”

  “I’m sure it provided some much-needed distraction for everyone.”

  “You know how our family is with a scoop like that. Bunch of dogs with bones.”

  “I can only imagine,” I say with a chuckle. “I’m sorry I missed it. When can I meet him?”

  “Oh, well, I don’t know.”

  “I can’t believe my Nona blushes.”

  “I do not!”

  “Do, too.”

  “I don’t remember you being so feisty before you were shot.”

  “Haha, you blush, and I want to meet him.”

  “Fine. I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Excellent.”

  “I came here to see how you’re doing. How did we end up talking about me?”

  “Your stuff is much more exciting than mine.”

  “That’s not what I hear. What’s this about a lovely nurse who would have our boy’s head turned all around if it wasn’t anchored in place by that contraption?”

  “You heard about that, huh?”

  “Same way you heard about me. Nothing stays secret in this family. Spill the tea. Tell me all about her.”

  I love that my grandmother knows about spilling tea. “Her name is Gianna, and since you met her a few times, you know she’s gorgeous, funny, smart, easy to talk to. I have a huge crush on her that’s all about frustration because I can’t do much about it from here.”

  “I helped Nico with the lunch delivery to her and her colleagues. I think it’s safe to say she’s thinking of you after what we sent over.”

  “Oh jeez, did you guys go overboard?”

  She gives me a “duh” look that makes me laugh. “What’s the Giordino family motto?” she asks. “Go big or go home.”

  “Thank you for helping Nico with that. Put it on my tab.”

  “Nico put it on his, which shouldn’t surprise you. He’s been suffering over what happened to you. Now would be a good time to ask for anything you want.”

  “All I want is for him to stop suffering. I hate that. It wasn’t like he shot me.”

  “No, but he feels responsible the same way you would if the roles were reversed.”

  “I guess, but I wish he’d let it go. All that matters is that I survived it.”

  “He’ll come around to that eventually, but it’s going to take a while. I’ve never seen him like he was that night, Milo. Not ever. He was inconsolable when he realized you’d taken a bullet that was meant for him.”

  “I hate that for him.”

  “He’ll be all right. On the plus side, this has brought him and Sofia even closer than they were before. They’ve been sick over what happened to you and why it happened.”

  “I’m just glad that monster is locked up so he can’t torment her or Mateo anymore.”

  “We’re all glad about that. His mother has reached out to Sofia to say how sorry she was about what happened to you. That he’s not the boy she raised. He broke a lot of hearts that night.”

  “Yeah, that’s got to be awful for his mother.”

  “I can’t imagine what she’s going through.”

  “There’s no chance he’ll get out, is there?”

  “He’s being held without bail because it’s an attempted murder charge.”

  “At least I won’t have to testify, because I don’t remember anything about it.”

  “Thank God for that.”

  “Yeah, for sure.”

  She shudders. “I’ll never forget hearing you’d been shot.”

  “Sorry to put you through that.”

  “Don’t be sorry. It’s not your fault. We’re just so thankful that you’re going to make a full recovery.”

  “Any time now.”

  “Have patience, my love. These things can’t be rushed. I’d better get back. We’ve got a big party tonight. I need to make sure everything is ready.” She gives my hand a squeeze. “I can’t wait until I can kiss your cheek.”

  “I’ll look forward to that and hugging you.”

  “Love you more than you’ll ever know.”

  “Ditto. Don’t forget to bring your boyfriend to see me.”

  “He’s not my boyfriend. I’m too old for boyfriends.”

  “Lover, then? Is that better?”

  She turns bright red. “Oh my Lord. I’m outta here.”

  I’m still cracking up when she stalks from the room. She’s the absolute best, one of my all-time-favorite people, and our bond has always been tight. She’ll often say that a Nona isn’t supposed to have a favorite, but oh, how she loves me. I can’t bear to think of the ordeal I put her and the rest of my family through the night of the shooting.

  “Knock, knock,” a familiar voice says thirty minutes after Nona leaves.

  “Come in.”

  Dr. Jason Northrup steps up to my bedside, alone for once. “How’s my star patient doing?”

  “I’ll be much better when you get me out of this contraption.”

  He takes a closer look at the pins holding the halo in place and then removes the bandage covering the surgical scar. “How’s the itching?”

  “Better than it was.”

  “Glad to hear that.”

  “How does it look?”

  “Excellent. It’s healing perfectly and ahead of schedule.”

  “That’s good news.”

  “It is great news. That and the report from the physical therapists are very encouraging. I’d say one more week in the halo, and then we’ll transition you to a neck brace.”

  “Another week?” I ask, moaning.

  “I know it sucks, but we want to be sure everything has healed inside before we remove it.”

  My deep sigh says it all. “I hate to complain when you saved my life and my mobility, but…”

  Jason laughs. “I get it. Believe me. Everyone hates the halos.” His gaze shifts to the sandwich on my table. “Are those Giordino’s meatballs by any chance?”

  “They are. Help yourself. Nona brought me an extra-large. I’ll never eat it all.”

  “Are you sure? I’m starving.”

  “Go for it.”

  “Thanks.” He takes a seat next to my bed and quickly devours two sections of the huge sandwich. “Damn, that’s good.”

  “So good. How are things with you and Carmen?”

  “Great. We’re excited about the baby and looking forward to everything.”

  “Must be nice to have your life settled like that.” My wonderful cousin has been so happy since she met and fell in love with Jason, years after losing her first husband tragically.

  “It’s a huge relief to have found her. She’s amazing, but I don’t have to tell you that.”

  “No, you don’t.” I glance at him, hoping it’s not a mistake to ask him what I want to know. “What do you think of Gianna? The nurse on 5 East?”

  “Gianna Lombardi? She’s an awesome nurse. One of my favorites. I always ask for her to take care of my patients when they’re on her floor. Why do you ask? Was everything okay with her?”

  “It was great. I really liked her.” I give him a meaningful look—or as much as I can from inside the cage. “A lot.”

  “Oh, I see.” He scratches at the late-day whiskers on his chin. “You know about what happened to her, right?”

  “With the fiancé or the parents?”

  “Both. She’s had a rough go of it.”

  “I know.”

  He gives me a side-eye look. “Are you going to change her track record?”

  “I’m gonna try like hell.”

  Chapter 8

  MILO

  The next two weeks are brutal—and yes, you heard that right. Two weeks. Ugh. Jason added a week “just to be sure” to the halo schedule, which was crushing. I work harder than I ever have in my life to successfully complete rehab so I can get the hell out of here.

  Gianna comes by every night for at least an hour, which has become the brightest part of my days. I also have frequent visits from family, coworkers, neighbors and other friends. I’m blessed beyond measure to have survived such a major injury and to have the support of so many loved ones.

  But I want out of here, and I want out of the halo that Jason extended for one more week when a scan of my neck showed I needed a little more time immobilized.

  I had another scan yesterday, and I’m waiting for him to come by to let me know the results and hopefully free me from the cage. Even though I’m very happy to be alive and all that, I’m going mad inside this damned thing.

  Jason arrives with the usual gaggle of residents in tow. It took being his patient to realize how big of a rock star my cousin’s husband is around here. “How’s my best patient today?”

  “That depends on whatever news you’re bringing.”

  “The news is good, my friend. Today is get-out-of-jail day.”