“Listen, if I were in your shoes, I’d be mad too, but I’m not the villain here.”
“That’s what she said.” He rolled his eyes.
“She’s a smart woman,” I laughed. “For what it’s worth, I am sorry. It’ll never happen again.”
“Make sure of that.”
I gave him a small nod before turning on my heel to find her room. I needed toseethat she was okay. Following the signs, I knocked softly on her door. When I heard the sweet, angelicvoice that I had become slightly obsessed with telling me to come in, I pushed the door open. Seeing Emma in a hospital bed made my chest ache. Her hair was a mess around her, but she looked slightly better and not nearly as pale as before. Her eyes never left me as I walked up to her bed and grabbed her hand. She squeezed me back, giving me a reassuring smile.
“Gonna take a lot more than some low blood sugar to take me out.”
“Oh, Little Fighter.” I smirked.
“I’m sorry if Jake was an asshole to you. He can be… protective.”
“It’s okay. If you were mine, I’d be protective of you, too.” I winked.
Her cheeks reddened as she looked away, nibbling on her bottom lip. “Aren’t you already protective?”
“In all the ways that I know how to be.” I whispered.
“Thank you.”
“Always, I mean that.” I bent down to place a soft kiss on her forehead.
“At least you no longer ruined the date? It was for sure me.”
“Fuck, are you kidding? Best date of my life.” I laughed.
“Does that mean I get a second date?” She asked in that voice that would drop me to my knees.
“Promise it won’t be at the hospital?” I raised my eyebrow.
“Promise.”
Five
Emma
Waking up in the hospital to a team of doctors and nurses while I was supposed to be on a date wasn’t my ideal way to end the night. Or any night, for that matter. I needed to start being more careful and remember to suspend delivery on my pump when I’m not able to eat a meal. In my defense, though, I typically always eat on time, and I can keep my blood sugar managed. I knew Jake was going to have a fit over this and turn into a crazy big brother again while not leaving me alone for the next month fussing over me, and that’s exactly why I sighed when he walked into the room looking at me with all the concern in the world.
“What were you thinking?” He shook his head, but I could see the relief in his eyes as he stepped closer and grabbed my hand.
“I was thinking, ‘Oh shit, Jake is going to be pissed’,” I joked.
“Damn right I am. You know better than this.”
“It was just an off day. I’m not going to be making a habit of this.”
“I can assume this has everything to do with Connor?” He released my hand, walking to the other side of the room as he crossed his arms and gave me his famous disappointed look.
“Connor?” I played dumb.
“Yeah, the six-foot lumberjack who is pacing down in the waiting room. We had a nice chat.”
“Jake.” I stammered. I know he’ll never think anyone is good enough for me. That’s the role he has to play. But if he thinks he can come in here and talk shit about a guy he doesn’t even know, then he has another thing coming. Connor was rough around the edges, and yes, I find him to be an asshole half the time, but there’s so much more to him. Sitting up in the bed, I gave him the same look he was giving me.
“He isn’t good for you.”
