Chapter 40

• Amanda saw him leave. All she could think of while lying in agony and bleeding on the floor of the florist store was him and how she would be late for their dinner reservations. All she could think of when they questioned her about her next of kin when she arrived at the hospital and was hurriedly taken to the surgery room was him. Her heart had been fluttering with fluttering beats when she opened her eyes and found him sitting there, clutching her hand and appearing frightened. The marriage based on friendship he had offered her suddenly made her even more afraid since she knew he could never love her the same way. She had accepted the reality that he would not cancel it or postpone it in any way and had made every effort to resist falling in love with both him and being a part of his wonderful family.
• *****
• In front of a small crowd of reporters and photographers, Amanda exited the hospital wearing a straightforward toga-style dress and a strapless bra that left her left shoulder and arm free. She had appreciated the extra effort Claire had made to assist with her hair and dab on some lipstick. It would be difficult to do things if she couldn't fully utilize one of her arms. She giggled as Ravi turned to look at her from the driver's seat and grinned broadly as they got into the car after letting Ernest handle the media.