She pulled the phone that Lacy had bought her from her pocket and set it on the table. “I do.”

“I’ll call you as soon as I hear anything. Until then, you should be prepared to leave the premises of that home. Get anything you want to hang on to and get out before they’re served. It won’t be safe for you to stay there.”

There was nothing left. Hazel had everything of hers that mattered—a picture of her brother, a smattering of clothes. The rest was replaceable.

Caleb dropped his shoulders and got personal. “I’m not sure if I should tell you or not, and that always means I should. I’m going to be straightforward with you. Taylor is in the hospital. I thought you should know.”

“I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but what’s the worst that can happen anymore? I saw him last night.”

The lawyer looked surprised. “You saw him?”

“I did, but I didn’t speak to him. He was sleeping.”

Caleb processed what she was saying, and added, “I got word he’s okay and will be released today.” He stacked the folders and then turned back to her. “How’d you know he was in the hospital?”

She didn’t want to admit that she had done a bit—okay a lot—of stalking, but how else would she know? “I was at the same fundraiser.”

He raised an eyebrow and asked, “By invitation orrr?” He stamped down the folders to align them. “You know what? Don’t tell me.”

Laughing, she replied, “Probably best.”

He stood and she followed. His smile was comforting and gave her courage. “Prepare yourself. Once this is put into motion, there’s no going back even if you do drop the case. Are you up for this?”

“I am,” she said without hesitation. “I’m ready.”

“Let’s do this.”

JUDE WALKED INTO the hospital shortly after leaving Caleb’s office. It was only a detour, she convinced herself. Just a peek to make sure what Caleb said was true. She hoped Hazel was strong enough to leave today. One quick walk-by and then she would leave as well, her mind at ease. This was her plan—to make sure he hadn’t relapsed since she checked on him the night before. It was a good plan. Solid. Hazel would never be the wiser.

She was fast approaching the door up ahead on the right, so she slowed her steps. Just as she walked by, she looked into the room, but then stopped. The room was empty. Her first reaction was relief. He’d gone home. Her second reaction was that dreaded what-if scenario that started playing on a loop in her head.

What if he relapsed?

What if he was rushed into emergency?

What if he was unconscious and they had moved him to another room?

What if…

What if…

What if…

She walked inside the room and touched the unmade bed, hoping it would give her guidance, a clue to where he was or if he was returning. The door shut behind her and she whirled around. She came face to face with Hazel himself, who was particularly smirky at the moment. “Looking for someone?” he asked.

Jude’s mouth opened, then closed, and opened again. “No. No one in particular.” She followed her heart and started for him, momentarily forgetting they weren’t together. Then detoured toward the door, but he leaned against it, blocking her from exiting.

“I think you were looking for me. I mean, why else would you be inside my hospital room?”

Yep, no getting out of it, so she confessed half-truths. She had no option but to face the man she let go months earlier because she loved him too much. She tried for casual. “I heard you were in the hospital and I was worried. So I was checking on you.”

While he stared at the one woman he loved, the only woman he would love long after this life, guilt overwhelmed him. “Jude?” he started, but stopped. He took a deep breath. “I tried to do what you wanted, but I can’t. I don’t love her.”

“I know.”

His hazel eyes pierced her heart, letting the rest of her truths bleed. “How do you know?”

“Because I saw you last night. I see you every day. Sometimes twice, if I was lucky.”

He restrained the huge grin that wanted to surface and gave her a smaller one instead, hoping to make her feel safe. “The whole time?”

“The whole time.”

As much as he loved to hear this revelation, now he felt bad. “I’m sorry.”

“For what? I just told you I’ve been stalking your every move and you’re apologizing to me?”

“The stalking, I’m not complaining, but I’m sorry for dating her, for thinking I could.”

“You don’t have to be. You were free to do so. You were trying to rebuild your life after I destroyed it.” She turned, putting her back to him and looked out the window with a heavy sigh. She didn’t love that he’d dated someone else, but she couldn’t blame him either. She’d practically set them up by pushing him away. And whether that was for his benefit or hers at the time, she refused to hold it against him. Anyway, she knew where his allegiance lay. Beyond what she felt deep inside, a bond that was never broken, she saw it with her own two eyes.

“But I know you don’t love her.” She turned around to face him again. “I know because I saw you together.” She reached out and touched the front of his suit, then took the jacket in her hand and fisted, pulling him closer. “I saw. I saw everything, then and now.”

His voice was but a whisper. “What do you see, Jude? Tell me.”

“I see your love for me.”

Abruptly moving forward, he grabbed her and kissed her. The stubble on his face grazed her skin, tickling and scratching. His warm, soft, but determined lips captured hers along with her heart and she kissed him just as eagerly.

A gasp broke the two apart and they twisted around toward the door. Katherine stood there with a hand over her mouth and shock in her eyes. “Taylor!” Fury took over her refined features and she spat, “Is this revenge?” When he didn’t reply, her hands went to her hips. “Fine. You win. We’re even. Now get away from her this instant.”

He didn’t move. He wouldn’t. Not again. Not from Jude. Not ever. “No.”

“What do you mean, ‘no’?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. I’m in love with her. I was from the moment I saw her. I was forced to leave the battlefield before. I’m not leaving her again without a full-on war.”

Katherine held her large purse in her hands and squeezed. “Taylor, what are you doing? Are you on drugs? Is the medicine messing with your head?”

“No,” he replied, smiling. “I’ve never been more aware in my life. And that’s because I’m with her.”

“But she’s crazy!”

In unison, Hazel gritted the words, “Don’t call her crazy!” while Jude said, “Don’t call me crazy!” They looked at each other and in that moment, when their true colors united once again, they both started to laugh. Maybe it was the kiss that had just tickled their lips, or the honesty that poured so freely from their hearts. Or maybe they were both just too tired to argue anymore. Taylor took Jude’s hand and held it. He turned back to Katherine, and said, “I’ll take her kind of crazy any day, over yours.”

Taylor walked with purpose, his hand tightly around Jude’s, and out the door. Katherine had stepped aside, too appalled to say another word. “But I brought you clothes.”

“Keep them.”

In the wide, sterile hospital hallway, Jude quick-stepped next to him and looked up. She had a million questions, but none of them seemed important right then. The man she loved was on a mission and she was the beneficiary of it. This is what she would take any day over the loveless days that had preceded it.

The sun hit their faces as they exited the building and Taylor didn’t ask which way or if she wanted to come at all. He knew where he was going all along. And once they took two corners and three blocks, she did too. He stopped once, to ask, “Why did you come back?”