“I do it all the time. It’s no big deal.”
“I’m offended on behalf of my junk. In my opinion, it is a very big deal.”
She snorts with laughter. “Why do all men think the penis is the center of the universe?”
“Because it is literally the center of our universe, and this isn’t how I was hoping you’d get your first look at mine.”
She leans on the bed rail, seeming intrigued. “Oh, no? What’d you have in mind?”
“Well, I figured I’d at least buy you dinner first.”
Her left brow rises in an arch look. “Are you flirting with me, Mr. Giordino?”
“What if I am?”
“Well, I would say you’re a courageous man, flirting with a woman like me who’s sworn off all men forever.”
“Don’t do that.”
“Oh, it’s already done. I signed a contract that declares me single for life.”
“I’m going to need you to break that contract so you can go out with me the second I’m out of here.”
“The same second?”
“The very same second.”
“Hmmm. I’ll have to get back to you about that.”
“Don’t make me wait too long. Thinking about going out with you is the only thing keeping me sane in here.”
“The only thing?”
I look her dead in the eyes. “The. Only. Thing.”
“Are you always this blunt when you want to go out with someone?”
“I’m never this blunt with anyone, and I’ve never wanted to go out with anyone more than I want to go out with you.”
“Milo,” she says with a nervous laugh. “What meds did they give you today?”
“I’m off everything but the antibiotic.” I cover her hand with mine, hoping she’ll be okay with that. “I mean it, Gianna. I want to see you after this.”
“I think I’d like to see you, too, as long as, you know… I’m kind of a mess still from, you know…”
“You’re not a mess. You’re the furthest thing from a mess.”
“Maybe on the outside, but on the inside…” She shrugs. “Not so great.”
“How about we see what we can do to fix that?”
She looks at me for a long time, so long that I start to worry she’s going to turn me down. “I think I’d like that.”
I’m so relieved, I’m nearly light-headed with it. I’m not sure when she became so important to me, but I’m starting to think getting shot may turn out to be the best thing that ever happened, as crazy as that seems.
“Now, about that catheter…”
“Can’t we get someone else to do it?”
“I’m it. So, man up, and let’s get it done.”
“Will it hurt?” I ask around a huge lump of fear that’s suddenly lodged in my throat.
“Like hell.”
“Really?” I ask in a high squeak of a voice.
Laughing, she says, “Really. But you’ll be fine. I promise. Shall we get it over with?”
I want to run and hide, but I’m not allowed to run. “If we must…”