Was there even a way to compete? She was perfection in his memory, and I had more flaws than could be counted.
My eyes burned, and I blinked back tears. “I guess what I’m trying to say, as convoluted as it’s coming out, is that I want what’s best for him.” I reached for her hand and took it in mine. Her fingers were long, elegant, as I knew she had been. I imagined her dancing in Grayson’s arms, the perfect picture of a high-school romance turned lifetime love. They would have complimented each other, her lithe frame and his strength. Their genetics alone would have made gorgeous babies. But their fairy tale had a nightmare ending.
And then there was me, coming along after Prince Charming was broken, trying to cram my oversized foot into Cinderella’s slipper, willing to cut myself to the bone to make it fit.
“I am so sorry for what’s happened to you. For what’s happened to both of you. Neither of you deserved any of this. From what I’ve heard, I know that in his life, you are the love story. And I know that I’m standing here with a second-place ribbon stuck to my heart, but he’s worth it. I’ve never met anyone like him. He’s strong, and smart, and loyal, and he… He makes me want to be the person he sees in me. And maybe I’m selfish for taking what I know isn’t mine, but I’m really hoping that I can make him happy.” I smiled through the lone tear that crept down my face. “You know, as happy as Grayson gets. But I’m really praying that you’d be okay with us, if you’re listening. Because he needs you—I see that now. But I need him so badly.”
She blinked, and I gasped. “You blinked. Oh my God. You blinked.” I had to tell someone. A nurse. Right? Yes. I jumped out of my chair and nearly ran over the guy walking in.
He caught me by the shoulders, and I looked into a pair of concerned brown eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“She blinked!” I squeaked.
His eyes drifted to Grace and back to me. “Yes. She does that.”
Now it was my turn to blink. “Brain-dead people don’t blink.”
He tilted his head to the side and smiled. Wow, this guy was actually really good-looking. Maybe a little too soft, too boy-next-door for me, but good-looking nonetheless. “She’s not brain dead. At least I don’t think so. Medical opinions vary.” He stepped back and dropped his hands. “Hi, I’m Owen, a friend of Grace’s. You are?”
Owen. That name should mean something, but I couldn’t remember where I’d heard it. I forced a polite smile, still a little shaken. “I’m Sam. I’m a friend of Grayson’s.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Gray? Is he here?”
Was that panic in his eyes? “No. I mean, his stuff is, but I haven’t seen him.”
“Then I’ll only stay a minute.” His eyes swept over me. “You know, you don’t look like his type.”
What. The. Actual. Fuck. “Because I’m not a blond white girl?”
He startled. “No, no. You’re gorgeous. You’re just not…” His eyes shot over me to Grace again. “Comatose. He hasn’t shown interest in anyone since Grace’s accident.”
Because she still owned his heart. He didn’t have to say what we both already knew. I rubbed my hands down my arms, warding off the cold that was seeping into my bones with every moment I spent here, every second I realized what I’d done to my life…again. I was falling for someone who belonged to another woman, and the worst part was that I didn’t know if I could stop.
I wanted Grayson so badly that having even a fraction of him was better than nothing.