“Cassie…” Joel’s voice is clearer all of a sudden. “Cassie, please open your eyes. Please…”
The tightness in Cassie’s throat is still there, but it’s not as bad as it was when she blacked out. She gulps for air and it’s the best feeling in the world. She blinks her eyes and sees Joel’s face over hers, his eyes filled with concern.
“Joel,” she gasps.
His shoulders sag with relief. “Hang in there. I called 911. The ambulance is on its way.”
A minute ago, “hanging in there” felt impossible. But now she is able to get in air again with each breath. Something has changed. “You found my Epi-pen,” she manages.
He shakes his head. “No, I didn’t.” “But…” She coughs. “Then how…?” He hesitates. “I used my own Epi-pen.” “You need an Epi-pen?”
His hesitation is longer this time. “Well, no. But when you told me you stopped carrying one, I got nervous and I wrote myself for one so I could have it… just in case.”
She could be angry with him for not trusting her, but she isn’t. The fact of the matter is this man just saved her life. He’s been carrying that pen around just in case because he was worried about this exact situation, and if not for that, he’d probably be attending her funeral in a few days. He saved her life.
It is the most romantic thing she can imagine. It’s more romantic than Wuthering Heights. It’s more romantic than Marv and Bea.
“I love you,” she whispers.
“I love you too,” he whispers back.
