“I know,” I whispered, blinking back tears. “It’s just…that woman, she might be that girl’s mother. What the hell kind of life is that kid living with her? I hate to even think of it.”
“Because it hits too close to home?” Milo asked gently.
My breath stalled for a few beats, then I gave a gasping laugh. “Probably. I hadn’t thought of that.”
We both fell silent, turning back to our food with significantly less gusto. When we rose to clear the table, Milo paused before heading toward the kitchen.
“Your birthday is next week,” he began, sounding almost hesitant. “Did you have plans with Addie, or your aunt and uncle?”
I hadn’t even realized we were so close to the end of February, especially after the time we’d lost to my numbness after the brick incident. My birthday was one of my least favorite celebrations, anyway, but I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been in a relationship when it came around. My parents had treated it as a day of prayer, spending the entire day in church, like maybe they would finally get the obedient daughter they wanted if they just begged for it hard enough.
Even though Addie tried to make it special in the years we’d lived together, I still hadn’t quite gotten used to being celebrated.
“No. No plans.”
He drew a breath and continued, “My mom asked if they could host a birthday dinner for you. All of us—my brothers, your cousins, your aunt and uncle. The Davies clan goes big for family birthdays. If you’d rather stay home and keep it low-key, though, we can do that instead.”
“But I’m not family,” I said, confused.
“Yes, Eden, you are.”
The words were quiet but firm, leaving no opening for argument. I blinked at him as that settled into my chest. Would it ever cease to be a surprise? Even struck silent, yet again, I knew Milo needed an answer.
“Yes. We should go,” I said hoarsely. “I want to go.”
That smile, the one I fell in love with at a hotel bar, the one I continued to fall in love with over and over again every time I saw it, crept across his face like a gift from the heavens. His gray eyes went velvet soft, crinkling at the corners as he smiled down at me.
He didn’t say anything, just leaned down to press his lips to my forehead, and one thing became perfectly clear as my resolve hardened into something fierce and protective.
If Milo was that woman’s true target, it was up to me to do everything in my power to keep him safe.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Milo
NotonlydidEdennotfavor me with a sexy nurse costume, she was a complete and total hardass when it came to my recovery. I never imagined being sentenced to spend day after day in bed with my gorgeous girlfriend as my jailer would be so boring.
So. Very. Boring.
As soon as screens stopped giving me a headache after five minutes of watching, we binged our way through what felt like every nerd series known to man. By the time she returned to work on Tuesday, I was jumping for joy—figuratively, because somehow she’d know that my brain had been jostled and the consequences would be dire—at the prospect of wandering the house at will.
Fortunately, my sister-in-law was willing to make a house call so she could assess my progress and hopefully lift all remaining restrictions. I had work to do, not only at the store, but also in catching up on lost time with Eden.
I had more than a few ideas of how to exact retribution for her strict no-fooling-around rule these last several days. Those revenge efforts would be immensely pleasurable for us both.
Libby arrived at the house promptly at noon. Her gaze swept over me, apparently evaluating my health with her laser eyes, then she beamed at me. “You look good, Milo. I see Eden’s been taking good care of you. How’s the noggin feeling?”
“Headaches are pretty much gone,” I said, gesturing for her to come in, “and Eden has been an absolute tyrant.”
Libby choked on a laugh, then shrugged. “Whatever works on you stubborn Davies boys. Why don’t we sit in the kitchen, I’ll check you out, and then you can get your ass in gear to make my favorite chocolate peanut butter pie for Eden’s birthday dinner at your parents’ house? That’s still the plan, right?”
“Yeah, we’ll be there.” I couldn’t hide a tiny smile at that admission, because I was so happy Eden had agreed.
Eagle-eyed Libby didn’t miss it. Her expression softened. “Good.”
After a more thorough examination, Libby declared me well on the road to recovery. I probably should have seen it coming, but her dark eyes took on a mischievous glint when she looked back over her shoulder at me on her way to the door.
“You can resume physical exertions, just listen to your body. From the neck up, that is. I don’t care what the rest of your body tells you. If it hurts your head, don’t do it.”
