Before I can reply, a nurse comes bustling into the room with a syringe. “Here’s another round of the good stuff before we send you home.”
She plunges the needle into the port on my IV, and then she’s gone again, just as quickly as she came.
The difference is almost immediate. My lips start to tingle. The pain dulls.
“I’m always honest with you,” I say to Kane. “Like right now. You’re the hottest guy I’ve ever met. Even hotter than Nate.”
He narrows his eyes. “Nate’s a married man, my sweet.”
“Oh, I know. But that doesn’t mean I can’t look at him. From afar. ‘Cause I love Jules and Nate. He gave me courage today.”
The last few words are a whisper. I didn’t mean to say them out loud.
“But enough about him. I was talking about you.”
“So you were.”
“I like your face.” I brush my fingertips down his cheek, enjoying the extra burst of buzz gliding through my veins. “And your hair. It’s smooth and thick. Feels good in my fingers.”
“You’ll give me a big head, darling.”
“And even if you can be moody, you’re sweet. And kind. And I really love your dog.”
“It’s my dog that you love, is it?”
“Yeah.” I sigh. I want to say more, but the doctor comes in with his laptop.
“How are those meds working for you, Miss Montgomery?”
“Pretty good. I feel better, but I’m talking too much.”
“That tends to happen,” he says with a smile. “Well, we got your shoulder set, and the X-ray shows no fracture, which is good. You’ll need to be in that sling for two weeks.”
“Fine, two weeks.” But then I perk up, suddenly sober. “Two weeks? I can’t be out of work for two weeks.”
“You need to heal,” the doctor says. “Sling for two weeks, not lifting anything with that arm. And then, after that, you can’t lift anything over five pounds for another week.”
“My cakes are heavier than that.”
“How long until a full recovery?” Kane asks.
“Could be up to three months before she feels normal again. You have to be careful with it, Miss Montgomery. You don’t want to reinjure it. I’ll prescribe some pain medicine for you for the next couple of days, but after that, you should be good with some ibuprofen. You’ll need to follow up with your doctor in about a week.” He types some stuff and then closes his laptop and smiles. “And just like that, you’re free to go. I hope you’re not driving.”
“I’ll drive her,” Kane replies and shakes the doctor’s hand. “Thank you.”
“Weeks,” I mutter in disgust. “I have weddings. Other responsibilities.”
“If it’s the financial strain—”
“It’s not,” I insist. “I don’t even need the money. But couples depend on me, and I have a business to run. I guess I’ll be calling in some favors. I hate doing that.”
“Maybe we can help so you won’t get behind,” he offers, which only makes me fall for him further.
“Thank you. We’ll figure it out. But I don’t think I’ll be doing much for a few days.”
“You’ll come stay with me,” he says as if he’s already decided.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine at home.”
He frowns. “I’d like to take you home with me. To care for you and look after you. Murphy would like that, as well. My parents are staying with Maggie now, so they won’t be underfoot.”
“I like your parents,” I murmur and then remember I haven’t called my own. “Oh, shit. Parents! I haven’t told mine what’s going on.”
“I spoke with Amelia on the way here. She said she’d call Archer and your parents. But I’m sure they’d like to hear from you to be sure you’re okay.”
I reach out for his hand. “Thank you. I’ll give them a call to let them know I’m all right. But be prepared, they’ll probably want to come see me. At least, my parents.”
“They’re welcome in my home any time at all,” he assures me. “Now, let’s get you out of here.”
I’ve just managed to get my feet into my shoes when the girls come bustling back into the room.
“Headed home?” Jules asks.
“I’m going to Kane’s.”
“Good, you won’t be alone,” Joy says and nods. “Get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, and take the medicine. It’s there for a reason.”
“Oh, now you want to act like a doctor. Earlier, you refused to put my shoulder back in place so I could just go out for lunch with you guys.”
“I’m a freaking veterinarian,” she says with an exasperated laugh. “Now, do as you’re told.”
“I’m surrounded by a bunch of bossy people.”
“Bossy people who love you,” Meg reminds me and smiles. “Will and I will come see you in a couple of days.”
“Thanks.”
“Matt said to give you a kiss for him,” Nic adds and kisses my cheek. “I’m sure the whole family sends their love.”
“Now I’m gonna cry,” I mutter. “Because of the medicine.”