“You read my poetry?” Nat looks excited.
“It was even worse than mine.”
“I love your poems. I want to frame them and hang them everywhere.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
Nat’s laughter rings through the warm room as we enjoy the food, our show, and each other’s company.
Epilogue
NATHAN
“Riley, you didn’t need to take the day off.” I frown as my girlfriend fusses over a pillow and reaches for my leg to put it on top of the cushion. “I’ve got it.”
“You’re still recovering from surgery, Nat.” She gently captures my ankle and guides it to the pillow.
“The surgery was three days ago. And the pain is improving already.”
“Could be the pills,” Riley argues.
“No.” I shake my head. “Even when I was taking medication before, I felt an ache. But the ache is gone. The doctors said I can be on my feet by tomorrow and I fully plan on being at Gordie’s conference Friday.”
“Either way, I promised your mom I’d take care of you,” Riley insists. “I’m not leaving your side.”
The declaration pleases me and I sit up, wrap my arms around her waist and pull her into my lap.
My eyes fasten on her soft, pink lips.
I lower my tone. “Now that our parents are gone, are you staying over tonight?”
She squirms.
True to their word, my parents flew in to take care of me before and after the surgery. Riley’s parents and her Uncle Will also flew in to see Riley. They had many questions about her career change and Riley took special care showing them her garage and introducing them to the mechanics in town.
Her Uncle Will looked impressed.
It was nice having lots of family around, but it also meant that Riley and I haven’t been alone for a while.
“Nat, your leg.”
I press my chin into the dip of her neck and shoulder. “Nurse,” I whisper, “on second thought, I’m not feeling too well. I think I’ll need overnight observation.”
Riley blushes and shoves my shoulder hard enough to make me gasp.
I rub the bruised area as Riley scrambles to her feet and the stern teacher voice reverberates through the air.
“I do plan on staying over, but if I feel like you’re up to no good, Mr. Campbell, I’ll ask Gunner to be your nurse tonight.”
The smile whips right off my face. “You wouldn’t.”
“I would.” Riley smiles sweetly. “I already asked Rebel. She said Gunner wouldloveto.”
The only way that could be true is if Rebel used her powers of persuasion on her boyfriend and Kinsey was backed into a corner. I doubt he volunteered. Both of us would rather spend the night in a jail cell than play patient and nurse with each other.
Riley notices my frightened expression and her lips quirk. “Do we have an understanding?”
“Yes, Ms. Carter.”
