A Kiss At Midnight (Delilah and Caelum) novel Chapter 67

Chapter 67

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The automatic doors slid open as I stepped into the hospice and was immediately hit by the amiliar scent of disinfectant and fresh flowers. My gaze drifted toward the reception desk, and it wasn’t the same nurse that had greeted Jace and I the last time I was here.

Instead, another nurse sat behind the counter, typing away on a computer as I made my way over.

“Hi,” I said, “I’m here to see Mrs. Moreno.”

“Hi, dear” the nurse offered me a polite smile before typing something into the keyboard, and a few seconds later, she looked back up. “I’m sorry, but Mrs. Moreno is currently in treatment.”

I nodded. “Do you know when she’ll be done?”

She glanced back at the screen, “About an hour and thirty minutes.”

“Oh,” my gaze drifted down to the bouquet of flowers tucked beneath my arm before shifting my gaze to the fruit basket hanging from my hand, then I checked the time on my phone.

There was no way I would make it back before I had somewhere else to be. I looked back at the nurse. “Would you mind giving these to her for me?” I asked, holding up the flowers and basket.

“Of course, dear,” she reached for them with a warm smile, “can I get your name?”

“Delilah Quinn,” she wrote something down on a notepad beside her keyboard before placing the flowers and fruit basket behind the desk.

“I’ll make sure she gets them.”

“Thank you,” with one last smile, I turned and headed back outside, the afternoon air greeted me as I walked across the parking lot toward my car.

I had just reached for my keys when something, rather, someone caught my attention. I followed their line of sight as they stared up at the sky. Curious, I tipped my head back too, spotting nothing. Just a clear late afternoon sky stretching overhead.

My brow hitched at this. It was barely five in the evening, there wasn’t anything unusual to look at. My gaze shifted to my car, then back to figure, and after a moment’s hesitation, I walked over.

“I have to ask,” I said, stopping beside them, “what’s so fascinating about the sky?”

He turned toward me, and the moment he recognized me, his lips curved into an easy, flirtatious smile. “Well,” he drawled, “if it isn’t the beautiful Juliet.”

I scoffed, ignoring the nickname as I tilted my head back again, searching the sky one more time. “So.. what exactly are you looking at.”

His eyes drifted upward. “I was just wondering..”he said quietly, “if there really is something above the clouds?” there was a small pause. “An entire kingdom, right above the stars,space and time. Where everything is just..perfect.”

Glancing up once more before looking back at him. “I’m not exactly religious,” I admitted, “but judging by the cross around your neck…” nodding toward the silver chain resting against his chest, “I’d assume you are.”

He looked down briefly at the pendant before meeting my gaze again. “If I remember correctly according to the Christians, there is one, I think?”

A soft smile crossed his face. “Yeah,” he nodded, and for a second, he simply looked at me, then his gaze flicked past me

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Chapter 67

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toward the parking lot. “You seem to be here by yourself,” his smile turned teasing again, “you didn’t come with your boyfriend?”

I scoffed at the fact that he thought Jace and I were dating. “He’s not my boyfriend.”

His grin only widened. “So.. does that mean I still have a chance?”

My gaze moved up and down his form. “Aren’t you, like.. eleven or something?”

He clutched his chest in mock offense. “Thirteen, thank you very much.” then he straightened his shoulders proudly. “Ill be turning thirteen.”

I pointed a thumb at myself. “I’m turning eighteen soon,” shaking my head, “not looking to catch a child abuse charge.”

Leaning in with an exaggerated, dramatic whisper. “But is it really child abuse if age is just a number…and destiny already wrote our love story?”

My gaze rested on him for a beat, then snorted. “Where do you even get these lines from.” I deadpanned, “CringeMeToDeath.com?”

He rocked his head back triumphantly. “Ha. You’re funny.”

“Well, damn it.” I muttered, fighting another smile. “because I wasn’t trying to be funny.”

He laughed, the sound easy and genuine. “Fair enough,” then he rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll admit those weren’t my best lines.” nodding to himself as though making a mental note. “I need to step up my game.”

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips before fading again, neither of us said anything, the silence wasn’t awkward and was somewhat… comfortable.

He tipped his head back, his attention returning to the sky as though he had forgotten our conversation altogether, while I, on the other hand, found myself looking at him.

There was something oddly familiar about his face, almost like I’d seen him somewhere before and just couldn’t remember where.

“Jeez.” Without even turning his head, he spoke, “you might as well drill a hole through my face with how hard you’re staring,” I rolled my eyes at this while he continued with complete confidence. “I know I’m good looking, but if you’re not going to give me a chance, you should probably learn some self control, lady.”

Staring at him for a second before shaking my head. “I can’t with you right now.”

He finally looked at me. “Why?” placing a hand over his heart, “wasit love at first sight… or should I walk past you again?”

I physically shivered. “Oh, that was awful.”

He winced. “Yeah,” then he rubbed his chin thoughtfully, “Still not my best, I’ll have to come up with another one.”

Quickly holding up a hand. “Have you ever considered not coming up with another one?” he frowned in fake concentration.

“Hmm.” Tilting his head, he pretended to give my suggestion some serious thought, and after a few long seconds, he looked back at me. “nope.”

Scoffing, I bite back the smile that threatened to make its way to my face as my gaze drifting over his outfit. He was dressed in jeans, a hoodie, and sneakers, dfinitely not hospital-issued clothing.

I’m guessing.” I said, “since you’re here, you’re visiting someone.”

He nodded solemnly. “Shocker,” placing a hand over his chest, “truly the smartest of them all.”

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Chapter 67

Giving him a flat look. “Why do I suddenly feel like I should be highly offended?”

A smirk spread across his face. “I’m just complimenting your pretty little head.”

I shook my head, equal parts amused and exasperated. “You really don’t miss an opportunity to flirt, do you?”

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“I believe opportunities are meant to be seized.” I rolled my eyes, though there wasn’t much annoyance behind it anymore.

“Of course you do.” folding my arms, “so… who are you here to visit?”

For the first time since we had started talking, his playful expression softened as he let out a quiet sigh. “Someone very dear

to me.”

His gaze drifted toward the hospice entrance, “Handsome,” I raised a brow, “Smart, a total heartthrob.” I couldn’t help the small smile pulling at my own lips, “the funniest guy you’ll ever meet -and unbelievably charming.”

My lips stretched into a smile.” You’re laying it on a little thick.”

He looked at me then, his grin slowly returning in full. “If you’re curious who he is,” he said, “you don’t have to look very far,” he spread his arms a little bit dramatically. “you’re already looking at perfection.”

I raised a brow at this, and it had honestly taken me second to realise what it meant as it finally clicked.

“You’re talking about yourself.” His grin only grew wider, and a omething in my chest tightened, as an ache settled for a stranger I barely knew. One that was quiet, uncomfortable that I couldn’t explain.

He looked at me for a long second before a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You know,” he said, “you’re the only person who’s heard all that and hasn’t looked at me like I’m about to drop dead.”

I frowned. “What?”

“The pity look,” he made an exaggerated sad face, the one that says, ‘Aw… you poor thing. He waved a hand dismissively. “You didn’t do that.”

Shrugging. “I figured you’d probably hate it.”

“I do.” his smile softened, “So… thanks,” the words caught me off guard, and I try to shake off the strange heaviness settling in my chest, nodding toward him.

“So… what’s actually wrong?”

He tapped two fingers lightly against the left side of his chest, “My heart,” the playfulness in his voice faded, though not completely. “It just refuses to work properly,” giving an absent minded shrug, “the doctors have tried everything they can.”

His eyes drifted toward the hospice building. “Now the only real option is a heart transplant,” he lets out a chuckle, but there wasn’t much humor behind it, “then again..I think I’m somewhere around number one thousand and one on the waiting /list.”

Blowing out a breath. “So I might as well kiss my ass goodbye and start making peace with dying.”

My brows hitched together, “Language.”

This makes him look at me, completely baffled. “You really just corrected the word ass after everything I said?”

“Yes”

He laughed quietly “Fair enough,” and for a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then, before I could stop myself, the words slipped out. “Why don’t you hope for a miracle?”

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Chapter 67

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The question surprised me as much as it seemed to surprise him, I wasn’t someone who believed everything happened for a reason and wasn’t particularly religious either.

Miracles weren’t exactly my thing

Yet somehow…I’d still asked.

He looked up at the sky again and a tired smile crossed his face. “I used to,” his voice was softer now. “I think.. he paused, searching for the right words, “and after a while, you just learn to accept what’s in front of you.”

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