He finished off his meal and brought his dish to the sink before she could take it.“I’m not that injured I can’t carry a plate to the sink.But I think I will take something and close my eyes for a bit if you don’t mind.”
“Why would I mind?You had a rough day.I think the least you should do is take a rest.”
She dug in the cabinet for the painkillers and handed him a few.He stuck his head under the sink for some water, and she rolled her eyes at him.Men.She followed him to his room and waited until he’d settled on his bed.
“Are you going to tuck me in, too?”he teased, that lopsided grin too tempting.She wanted to kiss it again.Maybe she would soon.Not right now.It wasn’t the time, and they’d need to have a conversation once she did.One that was long overdue.For now, she’d take care of him in whatever way he let her.
Evan woke to the feel of sunlight on his face.What?Why hadn’t his alarm gone off?Shooting into a sitting position, he remembered.The throbbing in his skull reminded him, fiercely.
He had the day off.Forcibly.Though with his arm stinging and his head pounding, along with a few other aches he hadn’t noticed yesterday, he wasn’t too sad about it.He was getting paid for it after all.
With that knowledge, he closed his eyes and drifted off again.Next time he opened them, the sun had shifted position.The clock on his nightstand told him it was after nine.Not too late for someone who had a head injury, but he’d still gotten more rest than usual.
After slipping out of bed, he shuffled to the bathroom, then headed to the kitchen, hoping there was a cinnamon roll left from the ones Mercedes bought a few days ago.When he saw her standing at the stove, he paused.
“Why aren’t you at work?”he asked, not bothering to sign, since she was facing away from him.Her clothes were more casual today than her typical work outfits—a pair of loose cotton pants with a drawstring and an over-sized lightweight sweater.
When she pivoted, he could see she was making French toast.Yum.Was it for him?“I’m taking the day off.”
Pointing to his bandaged arm, he said, “Because of this?Nothing’s broken.It’s a few stitches.”
Her eyes narrowed.“You have a concussion and can’t drive.I wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything.Don’t forget I know you.I have no doubt you’d ignore the no-driving rule to go get a pizza or something.If I have food here, you won’t need to.”
He glanced hopefully at the pan behind her.“So that’s for me?”
A smile lit her face.“It’s for both of us.Since you’re not severely injured, could you get the maple syrup and butter from the fridge, please, while I put these on plates?”
He gave her a smart salute.“Yes, ma’am.”Then, he did as asked.When he pulled out the Mountain Dew, she frowned.
“That paper you gave me yesterday with instructions said you shouldn’t drink a lot of caffeine.I believe Mountain Dew has some of the highest amounts of caffeine of most sodas.”
Sighing, he shoved the soda back on the shelf and grabbed the milk.She nodded at his choice.“Can you pour me a glass, too, please?”
Once they had everything and had taken a few bites, Evan told her, “You don’t need to stay with me.” He didn’t mind staying home for one day, but his boss had texted last night and said he didn’t want to see him back until Monday at the earliest.Today was Thursday.He hated missing work but couldn’t say his head didn’t feel like crap.Guess he’d enjoy the paid time off.“I’ll be fine.”He had to show a little bit of manliness in front of Mercedes.
She pursed her lips.“Maybe I want to stay home and play hooky.Why should you get all the fun?”
Evan grinned but dug into his food again so she didn’t see.He liked the thought of her staying with him.If he couldn’t drive, maybe she’d take him somewhere.Or they could simply hang out here for the day.
When they finished, he grabbed both plates, and Mercedes gave a show of objecting, but he shook her off.Once the dishes were rinsed and stacked in the dishwasher, he signed.“Don’t treat me like I’m dying.I’ve got a tiny bump on my head and a few stitches.Maybe some aches and pains from the fall.” He’d better tell her about those now, because she’d find out sooner or later the second he grunted when he moved.Then, he’d be in trouble for not sharing.
“I won’t,” she promised.“But I’ll make sure you follow all those instructions from the clinic.”
As he wandered into living room and picked up the remote, she stomped her foot.She glanced at the device in his hand.“No screen time.It’s bad for the head.”
“It said minimum screen time,” he pointed out.
The look she gave him was right out of his mother’s book of stares, when he did something he shouldn’t have and was pretending he hadn’t been aware he couldn’t do it.Did all women get that same manual once they became adults?
Tossing the remote back on the coffee table, he scowled.“Fine, but what the heck am I supposed to do all day?”He dropped onto the couch and crossed his arms.He was too old to pout, but he felt like sulking anyway.
Mercedes looked away, then at the floor and bit her lip.What was up?She seemed like she was trying to get up the nerve to say something he wouldn’t like.Did she want to kick him out?Is that what the fancy breakfast and staying home with him was for?To let him down easy?
“You okay?”He’d give her a hand getting started if she really wanted him gone.
Her generous hips swayed as she approached the couch and got cozy on the cushion, one leg under her.
After a deep breath, she signed, “I wanted to ask you something.”
