Page 135 of Stupid Matchmaking Love

“Rhett,” Jessie’s voice behind me. “They’re about to load her into the ambulance.”

“I know.”

My hands shake as I gather the pieces. The clay’s cold, rough under my fingertips.

I find a piece of the face, part of a shoulder, a chip from the dress.

I gather them one by one, eyes scouring the floor three times to make sure I haven’t missed any. One piece rolled six feet away.

“Rhett, they’re leaving—”

“I know, Jessie. I know.”

But I can’t stop. This sculpture is important to Cristina. She brought it tonight for a reason. And it broke. Just like she broke.

I find the piece with the face—the part where that crack used to be. It’s snapped right through where it healed.

I slip the pieces carefully into my jacket pocket and stand. “Okay. Let’s go.”

Willie and Cheryl follow as Jessie guides me away.

On the drive, Jessie’s silent for three blocks. Then she says, “You looked like you weren’t there tonight, Rhett. You okay?”

I flinch. “Yeah, I just . . . for a moment I thought she was Sarah.”

When we hit a red light, my sister studies me. “But it was just for a moment, right?”

“Yeah.”

One moment too long. One moment that could have been the difference between life and death.

“It’s gonna be okay,” she tells me.

Cristina might be okay.

But will I?

Chapter 45

Cristina

A suction sound lures me from sleep. Something squeezes my arm, and I recognize the feel of a blood pressure cuff tightening and then releasing.

No.

I try to swallow and wince—my throat is raw, like I’ve swallowed broken glass.

Shit.

They intubated me.

That hasn’t happened in years.

I open my eyes and fluorescent light pierces them. I take a moment to let my vision adjust.

My parents are here, sitting stiffly on chairs beside me, like they’re alert and ready for anything. My gaze sweeps the other side of the room. I expect Rhett to step out of a corner, a lopsided grin on his face and that sexy Southern drawl making my heart sing when he says, That’s my girl.

My mom sees I’m awake and she smiles wide, pearly whites gleaming. Her gray hair has fallen into her eyes, and she shoves it from her face. “Hey, honey. How’re you feeling?”