Serena stepped out of the quaint Italian restaurant, a contented smile playing on her lips. The dinner with Ryan had gone better than she could have imagined, he was always outdoing himself. The dim lighting, the soft music, and the warm conversation and to top it all off the forehead kiss at the end had made her heart flutter in a way she hadn't felt in years.
He had offered to drop her off at home, an offer she had refused as she had to go pick up something she left at Anna's place, which was not far from her apartment. The Italian place wasn't far away either. He had kissed her on the forehead and bade her goodbye.
As she adjusted her scarf against the cool evening breeze, she replayed moments from their date in her mind. Ryan's effortless charm, the way he leaned in when she spoke, and the warmth in his eyes when he complimented her—it all felt like a scene out of a romantic movie.
The streets were quieter now, the bustling dinner crowd thinning out. She continued to walk a few blocks to clear her mind. The city lights shimmered above, their glow reflecting on the wet pavement from a light drizzle earlier in the evening.
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps broke her peaceful reverie. She turned her head instinctively and saw a tall, broad-shouldered man sprinting toward her. He was impossibly fast, his long strides eating up the distance between them in seconds.
Before Serena could react, the man collided with her, his powerful frame slamming her into the cold, unforgiving brick wall of a nearby building. The impact stole her breath, pain radiating through her side and head as her vision blurred.
"Hey, stop him!" someone shouted in the distance.
Serena tried to focus, her dazed mind piecing together the chaos. She caught a glimpse of flashing blue and red lights further down the street. Police officers were chasing the man who had just barreled into her.
"Ma'am, are you okay?" a passerby called, but Serena couldn't respond. The world tilted dangerously, and her legs gave way. Darkness swallowed her whole as she crumpled to the ground.
***
When Serena came to her senses, her head throbbed, and her surroundings felt both too bright and too loud. The sharp scent of antiseptic stung her nose, and the murmur of voices confirmed that she was no longer on the street.
"Miss, you're awake," a soothing voice said. A nurse in scrubs stood beside her, checking her vitals. "You're in St. John's Hospital. You were brought in unconscious a little while ago."
Serena blinked, her memories rushing back in fragments. The man. The collision. The flashing lights. She tried to sit up, but the nurse gently pressed her back down.
"Take it easy," the nurse said. "You've got a mild concussion and a few bruised ribs. Nothing too serious, but you need to rest."
As the nurse spoke, the door to the room swung open, and Ryan stepped in, his face a mix of worry and relief. His jacket was slightly askew, and his tie was loosened, as though he'd rushed here without a second thought.
"Serena," he breathed, moving to her side. "Are you okay? I heard what happened."
"How did you…?" Serena's voice was hoarse, her throat dry.
"I called to check if you got home safe," Ryan explained, his brows furrowing. "When you didn't answer, I got worried. I called the restaurant, and someone there told me about the incident. I came as soon as I could."
Serena's chest tightened—not from pain, but from the sheer intensity of Ryan's concern. "I'm fine," she whispered. "Just a little shaken up."
Ryan glanced at the nurse, who nodded reassuringly. "She's stable. No major injuries. We'll keep her overnight for observation, but she should be able to go home tomorrow."
Relief washed over Ryan's face. He pulled a chair close and sat down, his gaze never leaving hers. "You have no idea how worried I was," he said softly. "I should've walked you to Anna's house."
"It's not your fault," Serena replied, her voice stronger now. "I wasn't expecting a giant to tackle me on my way home."
Ryan's lips quirked in a small, strained smile. "Did you see his face?"
She shook her head, wincing as the movement sent a sharp ache through her skull. "Not really. It all happened so fast. The police were chasing him, though."
Ryan's jaw tightened. "I'll make sure they catch him. Nobody gets away with hurting you."
The fierce protectiveness in his tone surprised her. She reached out, her fingers brushing his. "Ryan, it's okay. I'm okay."
He clasped her hand gently, his warmth anchoring her in the sterile hospital room. "You scared me," he admitted. "I haven't felt like this about someone in a long time, and the thought of losing you…"
Serena's breath hitched. She hadn't expected him to open up like this, especially after only a few dates. But as she looked into his eyes, she saw nothing but sincerity.
"I'm not going anywhere," she said softly. "I promise."
Their moment was interrupted by a knock at the door. A uniformed police officer stepped in, his expression professional but kind.
"Miss Wallace?" he asked, addressing Serena.
"Yes," she replied.
"I'm Officer Reynolds. I wanted to update you on the situation. We're tracking the suspect who collided with you. He's a known criminal with a history of theft and evading arrest. I'm sorry this happened to you, but I assure you we're doing everything we can to apprehend him."
"Thank you, Officer," Serena said.
"If you remember anything else; details about his appearance, anything he might have said, please do let us know." He handed her a card.
Serena nodded, taking the card. "I'll try."
After the officer left, Ryan turned back to her, his expression softening. "Do you want me to stay tonight?"
"You don't have to," she said, though part of her didn't want him to leave.
"I want to," he insisted. "If that's okay with you."
She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Okay."
Ryan settled into the chair beside her bed, his presence a comforting balm to her frayed nerves. Despite the pain and lingering fear, Serena felt a flicker of warmth in her chest.
Maybe the night hadn't gone as planned, but one thing was clear—Ryan wasn't just a fleeting part of her life. He was someone who cared deeply, someone who would be there when it mattered most.
As the city outside buzzed with life, Serena allowed herself to relax, knowing she wasn't alone.