“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you,” she said.

David reached out a hand to her. She scooted closer to the bed and enveloped his hand with her own, giving him a cautious smile.

“You’re not disturbing me. I was starting to wonder if I’d only imagined you.”

Meredith felt trapped by his searching gaze. Her heart lodged in her throat. “I... wasn’t sure if you’d remember me.”

A frown marred David’s brow. “Of course I remember you. I have great memories of our times together.”

She bit her lip, finding it difficult to hear over the pounding of her heart. Which memories?

He sent her a weak grin. “So you’re a nurse here? I think someone must’ve told me that.” At her nod, he squeezed her hand. “I always knew you’d do something noble with your life.”

Meredith lowered her gaze. “I heard about your new position at KVL.”

David motioned toward his knee with his other hand. “Now that soccer is a thing of the past, I’m glad to have something to fall back on...literally.” A wry smile tipped his mouth. “I guess I always knew my career would have to end someday. So I interned at a local TV station off-season for a few years after getting my degree in Broadcast Journalism. It’s coming in handy sooner than I thought, that’s all.”

Meredith heard a trace of sadness in his voice. Her mind floundered about for something encouraging to say.