Avery stares down at the ring. The stone shines and twinkles, but Evan''s eyes are even brighter. He smiles softly and rolls the ring around his palm.


    "Don''t say no to me again," he whispers.


    "This is where you''re proposing to me?" Avery asks, stalling for time.


    "What''s wrong with that?" Evan asks.


    "It''s the hospital, Evan," she says. "No one proposes in the hospital. Least of all when they''re too wounded to even get out of bed."


    "The place doesn''t matter—it''s the thought that counts," Evan says with a smile.


    "Stop joking about this," Avery says. "You just survived a bomb blast. And the doctor said your wounds need to be cleaned to avoid infection."


    She reaches for the bottle of disinfectant, but Evan stops her and asks, "Why are you avoiding the question?"


    "Why would I avoid the question?" Avery asks, feeling her palms start to sweat. "I''m just worried about your health."


    "Last time you refused me because of Charles, but now he''s