“As hard as it is,” he says after we step out of the room. “You’re going to have to let her set the pace. I’m more than happy to set you up with our social worker here at the hospital. She might be able to assist you in navigating your new normal with Mellie.”
I stiffen at the offer of professional help. “I appreciate that, Doc, but I’ll manage.”
“Well, just know that the offer stands.”
“Thanks.”
He jerks a nod. “Why don’t you go and update your friends and family? Give Miss Kensington a chance to rest?”
“I’m not leaving her,” I bark.
He smiles. “I didn’t think you were. While she can have visitors, I highly suggest you don’t bombard her with too many people at once. Go and give them an update, and then you can come back. But please, for now, let her rest and try to process everything she just learned.”
He waits for me to give in, and finally, I do. Not because I want to leave her, but because he’s right… The waiting room is full of people who love Mellie, and they deserve to know what’s going on.
Life really knows how to fuck a person in the ass with a cactus.
7
MELLIE
Idon’t know how long I slept, but when I wake up, I’m alone in my hospital room. Almost instantly, an image of the man—no, he said his name is Heath… and apparently, he’s my fiancé—who was in my room earlier pops into my head. My stomach knots at the thought of him, but I don’t try to analyze the feeling.
The urge to pee registers, and I try to sit up, but dizziness washes over me. Falling back against the uncomfortable mattress, I close my eyes in an effort to stop the room from spinning. It takes a few moments, and I release a breath when equilibrium returns.
Awareness prickles along my skin, and a shiver races up my spine. “I swear, someone is watching me.”
“Rockwell.” My eyes fly open, and I see Heath standing next to my bed. “That’s a good one.”
“What?”
“You quoted a Rockwell song,” he says with a shrug. “I’m thinking music might just be the key to unlocking your memories.”
“Maybe.”
Heath rocks back on his heels as he shoves his hands in his pockets and begins to pace the length of the room. I take a minute to let my gaze roam over him, from his head to his booted feet and back again. It’s easy to see why I was attracted to him. He’s good-looking in a way that should be illegal, and the tattoos peeking out from the sleeves of his shirt just add to his appeal.
“Keep looking at me like that, and I’m likely to forget that you have no clue who the fuck I am,” he says, a teasing growl in his tone.
His words ignite a fire that burns me from the inside out. Lowering my eyes, I focus my attention on my hands as questions swirl around in my brain.
My fuckingbrokenbrain.
“What’s my full name?” I blurt.
Heath stops pacing to stare at me. His mouth opens and closes several times before he finally responds. “Mellie Elizabeth Kensington.”
I nod absently. “And I was born on March twenty-second?”
“Yep,” he says. “You’re twenty-four.”
I silently repeat the information, hoping like hell I don’t forget it. “We were engaged?”
“Weareengaged,” he snarls, and when my eyes widen, he takes a deep breath and audibly releases it. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. It’s just…”
“I made you mad,” I say simply.
“What? No.” He rushes to my side and reaches for my hand, but he must think I’ll pull away because he grips the blanket instead. “I’m not mad at you, Mellie. Promise.”
