“Jack has it all under control, so don’t even think about heading there,” Roger quickly added.
“I need to make sure…”
Saryn placed her fingers over my mouth and shook her head. “He has it under control. Right now, the only thing you’re going to worry about is resting.”
I smiled. “Yes, nurse.”
She winked, and then dropped her hand. “I’m going to go change…do you need anything?”
With a raise of my brows I watched as her face flushed.
“And with that I’m out of here before the two of you say or do something I’ll never be able to erase from my mind. Call me if you need anything, Saryn,” Roger said as he made his way out of the bedroom.
“Thank you for everything!” Saryn called out.
“Later, Roger,” I said, not taking my eyes off of the beautiful woman standing next to the bed.
“Later,” Roger called out.
The moment we heard the front door close, Saryn leaned down and kissed me. “Are you in any pain?”
I shook my head. “I honestly don’t feel a thing, I think this ice thing has frozen my knee.”
She grinned. “I’ve been doing it off and on. It really helps with the swelling and the pain. Since you’ve been asleep you haven’t asked for any pain medicine, and I didn’t want you to wake up with it out of control. Let’s get you something to eat, and then I think maybe you should at least take one, especially since we’ll be getting you up to walk around.”
“You’re the nurse.”
Saryn leaned in and kissed me once more, and this time I placed my hand around her neck and pulled her closer to me. She laughed when she nearly fell over me on the bed.
“Please answer all my prayers and tell me you have a naughty nurse uniform.”
Her teeth dug into her lower lip, and I felt my entire body come to life.
“I do not, but I’m sure I can come up with something,” she softly said.
“Where’s Liliana?” I asked.
“I dropped her off at my folks’ place. My mom offered to watch her so I could focus on you.”
“I only tore my meniscus, I didn’t nearly die,” I said.
“Yes, but I want to make sure you’re taken care of. Roger told me you tend to not take care of yourself when you get hurt.”
With a fake laugh, I replied, “That’s because I’m so used to getting hurt.”
She smiled softly and sat down on the bed. “I’m so sorry you hurt yourself. I have to say, though, you looked good in my robe.”
I returned her smile. “I’m almost positive you look better in it.”
“We can compare, Ryan took plenty of pictures and video of you wearing it.”
“That bastard!” I growled.
Her hand went to my chest and she let her eyes wander over my body. “Let me go get changed, then we’ll get you up.”
“I’m sure I can get up on my own, sweetheart.”
Saryn’s eyes snapped back up and met my gaze. I could see it as clear as day, she was confused about something. Or possibly worried, even afraid.
I reached for her hand. “I’m sorry if I spooked you.”
“Spooked me?” she repeated, her voice cracking slightly.
“When I said I loved you.”
She chewed nervously on her lip. “You remember that?”
“Roger reminded me. I don’t remember saying it the second time, but I do the first.”
“It’s okay, you were…”
“Wait, let me finish.”
With a nod, she said, “Okay.”
“It’s true, I wouldn’t have said those words just yet, but I know in my heart I feel that way. Yes, we literally just started dating, but I will not deny the way I feel for you. How much I care about you and Liliana. And it’s because of Liliana that I want to do this right. I want to prove to you that I’m committed to the both of you, and I know that we don’t know each other enough for me to say that.
“You may not want a guy who tears his meniscus all the time or who has friends who bet on how often I’ll get hurt. I may snore at night or leave a wet towel on the end of the bed, which is something I do often so I’m disclosing that right now. But I sure as hell want to give this everything I’ve got, because I have fallen for you and for Liliana. I’m pretty sure you captured my heart years ago, and your daughter grabbed onto it day one and she has pulled me in hook, line, and sinker. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for either of you, and even if things don’t work out between us, I do not want to lose your friendship.”
Saryn stared at me for the longest time before she sniffled, looked down at her hands, and then smiled.
“Where did you come from, Truitt Carter?” she asked in such a low voice I struggled to hear her.