“Ouch, that hurts,” he says, brow furrowed.I sink back into my chair, trying to calm my racing heart.“What time is it now?”
“Uhm, let me see.”I pull my phone from my pocket.“It’s 7 a.m.”
“You’ve been sleeping in that sitting position all night?”Laird asks, rubbing my cheek gently.
“Yes.I was afraid you’d wake up alone,” I whisper, meeting his soft smile.Heat rushes to my cheeks as guilt pricks me.
“That’s overprotective.Your neck and back must be sore.Why didn’t you go home last night?Your ankle is sprained too.”His hand finds mine and squeezes gently.Warmth spreads through our entwined fingers, a quiet anchor in the storm of panic in my chest.
“It’s fine.They bandaged and treated my ankle.It doesn’t hurt as much now.Hey, want something to drink?”I ask, picking up my blanket from the floor.
“Sure,” Laird nods.
I drape the blanket over the back of the chair and move to the nightstand.I pour mineral water into a glass and help him drink.After a few sips, he tilts his head back, signaling he’s quenched his thirst.Relief seeps through me, though a flutter of worry still clings to my ribs.
“Whose blanket is that?”he asks, eyeing it as I return the glass.
“Oh, Lloyd borrowed it from the nurse.”
“He came here?”he frowns.
“Yes.He stopped by last night to handle some paperwork as your family.”
“Oh, right.You couldn’t,” he mutters, lips pursed.
“Yes, I’m not your family yet, so I couldn’t help during a critical time.”I cross my arms, cheeks warm, wanting to sulk.But he chuckles, soft and forgiving.I let a small smile escape.
“Maybe next time,” Laird says wryly.
“Oh, no, Your Highness.There won’t be a next time.No more reckless stunts.I almost lost you,” I shake my head, fear I’ve held all night settling again in my stomach.
“You realize you were the one insisting on that crazy thing yesterday?”He raises an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his gaze.
“That was the first and last time.Believe me.No more playing FBI.If I knew you’d end up here, I wouldn’t have dared.”I squeeze his hand.
He smiles softly, and for the first time in hours, I allow my shoulders to relax.At least he’s laughing and smiling like usual.Nothing is strange.He looks fine—or he’s too good at hiding pain.
“Well, what about Lloyd?He must have been surprised to see me here,” he says, his voice hoarse.
“Yes.I told him everything that happened yesterday.He was amazed at how brave you were.”
“Understandable.I haven’t shown up at all for Christmas.”He adjusts his pillow carefully.
“Why did you lie to him?”I help him shift slightly, cupping the nape of his neck with gentle hands.
“I just wanted to focus without distractions,” he says quietly, and there comes a weight of everything left unsaid between us.Is it really the only reason?Why’s he hiding from his dad?
Before I can ask more, the door bursts open.Jessy storms in, arms full of large bags.
“Oh!Hey, Laird!Thank goodness you’re awake.”He squeezes Laird’s shoulder, grinning ear to ear.
“Thanks, Jessy.”Laird grins back.
“What’s in the bags?”I ask, tilting my head.Jessy rolls his eyes, a tiny smirk betraying his amusement.
“Your clothes, silly.Even though I had to force you, you’d insist on waiting for Laird all day, right?”
“Oh, yes.Did you bring toothbrush and face wash?”I giggle, tension easing from my chest.
