Sweet Distraction ✔︎

[25] 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒓

Isabelle was not allowed to see Evan in ICU, but he texted her when he was moved to a regular hospital room. She went to see him often, torn between relief that the surgery had gone well and despair over what he still had to endure.

He was quiet much of the time, reading, watching TV, or listening to mostly one-sided conversations from his visitors. When she visited, Isabelle stayed near the periphery of the room, uncertain how much she either should or could be part of his close-knit family circle. She was never alone with Evan since both his family and the nurses stayed close to his side.

She met the King twins, Carson and Spencer, both younger versions of Josh with their strong, masculine features and dark eyes, and their sister Hailey, a pretty girl with light brown hair who closely resembled Aunt Julia with her fine features and high cheekbones. Their relationships seemed to be typical sibling—teasing and good-natured arguing, though Isabelle wondered how much of that was to keep the atmosphere light for Evan’s benefit.

Because she still didn’t want to shy away from the reality of him, she educated herself on both his surgery and the recovery period—what to expect, possible complications, diet, and all the things he needed to do. Every time she saw him lying against the stark white pillows, his skin so pale he looked bloodless, the chest bandage visible beneath his gown… she wanted to rail at the universe for forcing this on him.

But she had seen enough of the world to know that no one was immune from anything. And in many ways, Evan was lucky—he had a constant stream of visitors, his family members loved him deeply, his doctors and nurses were knowledgeable and attentive caregivers.

For the week of his hospital stay, Isabelle divided her time between the bakery and Evan. The deadline for her revised book proposal came and went. She sent an email to Elaine Miller of Franklin Publishing with an apology and the truthful explanation that she just couldn’t think of anything else to tie all her posts together.

Jupiter had to return to Paris for her classes, but Josh stayed in Indigo Bay temporarily to both ensure Evan’s recovery and take over Candy King again. Though it was none of her business, Isabelle hoped that Josh had at least recognized Evan’s contributions to the company.

Evan resisted his aunt’s efforts to have him live at Warren’s house for the remainder of his recovery, and with Josh and Adam backing him up, he returned to his house after a week in the hospital. Knowing he was back in his shabby little cottage on the beach with his books and whittling tools eased Isabelle’s persistent tension and worry.

She was busy packing up a box of pastries to bring to his nurses at the hospital when the bell over the bakery entrance rang.

“Hey, girlfriend who lasted all of fifteen minutes.”

Isabelle turned at the sound of her friend Dave’s familiar voice, pleasure rising inside her. As shaggy and unkempt as ever, he was carrying his ratty backpack and a duffel bag.

“Where are you off to?” she asked.

“A friend made me an offer I couldn’t refuse,” he said, helping himself to a cookie from the Free Sample plate. “The Love International Festival in Croatia is next week, and he said I could crash in his apartment. Plenty of room for you too. Think of it, Banana. Three days of music, parties, sun, sand… not to mention the potential for love.”

Isabelle rolled her eyes. “I’ll bet.”

“Hey, don’t mock or I won’t tell you what else I have for you.”