Nate slides it over my wrist and snaps the two pieces together. And that’s when a tear slips out.
“Shit. You don’t like it?” He reaches for my hand, but I pull it back and press it to my chest.
“I love it. It’s so thoughtful.” He remembered what I said about how I feel when I ride my bike.
“Yeah?”
I nod and wipe away the tear. There are two things you should know. One, whenever I was sick, Travis stayed as far away from me as possible because he feared he’d “catch whatever I had”, and two, the only thoughtful gift he ever gave me was… on second thought, he never gave me thoughtful things. His gifts for me were thingshewanted and disguised them as stuff for me or they related to me losing weight like a membership to the local gym.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it.” That’s no lie.
“Now, eat.”
And there’s that bossy jerk reappearing. Honestly, his bossiness isn’t an issue when he’s just trying to take care of me.
Is that what he did at the restaurant? It didn’t feel the same as this did. He sounded just like Travis, especially the way he yanked the menu out of my hands. That marriage PTSD that I spoke of a while ago kicked in big-time.
I think I need to give Nate some credit. Let’s see what he does after everything that happened the other night. Did he listen and learn? So far, he’s batting a thousand.
ChapterEighteen
Nate
Prudence has beenasleep for hours. She sipped about three spoonfuls of her soup and one cracker, claiming she was full. I didn’t argue. At least she ate something. It’s past midnight, and I can’t decide if I should leave. I don’t want to. I don’t need to. Nothing is waiting for me at home since Nathan has his own place, and Zoe is in Chicago with friends this week. So, why not stick around and make sure she’s okay?
The answer to that is complicated. She could wake up completely cured and realize I’m squatting in her home and get super pissed that I’m here. On the other hand, she could get worse in the night, and if I left, I wouldn’t know or be able to help. Do I risk her wrath again?
Yes, I risk it.
Sure, it could bite me right in ass, meaning I’d lose my shot with Prudence but I’m willing to take the chance.
I hear her phone chime. It’s been dinging about every thirty minutes for the last couple of hours. I’m tempted to look to see who’s bothering her at this hour. It could be Laura checking up on her, but she’d message me since we exchanged numbers when she stopped by after work. No. It’s not Laura.
I should at least look at who keeps blowing up her phone. Maybe I can get them to stop. With stocking feet, I step into her bedroom and take a moment to look at her. The streetlight is providing me with enough light for me to see her pretty face. Even ill like she is, she still makes my heart beat double time.
I’m so fucked.
Her phone chimes again, drawing my attention away from Prudence. I was fast enough to see the name light up her screen.
Fucking Travis.
Grasping the device, I make quick work of my exit. I touch the screen of her smartphone. “Damn, woman.” She has no security on her phone. I don’t have to punch in a code or anything. Still. It gives me an opportunity to see what the asshole is saying.
I know once I press the messages, the icon notifying her of, Jesus, ten new messages from that fucker, will disappear. It’ll mean a whole new reason for her to hate me for. Is it worth it?
Yes. And do you want to know why?
Because this motherfucker is toxic. Imagining the bullshit he’s spewing to her right now will just mess with her head. I’d rather be the one to deal with it so she doesn’t have to.
That’s good, right? I’m doing the right thing?
“Fuck.” Maybe I should ask Laura what she thinks. If I do that, then the best friend will know I’m snooping, and any hope I’ve got of covering my ass will be blown. On the other hand, if Laura thinks it’s a good idea, she’ll be mad at two people instead of just me.
“Fuck.” Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I do it. I call Laura.
“What’s wrong?” are the first words out of her mouth.
