He smiled but said nothing, and I knew what he was thinking.If only he’d had the chance sooner.
* * *
Seph was working on his laptop and taking a call when I found him. He looked up briefly and then again, probably not recognising me. I’d caught sight of my reflection and wondered who I was myself.
Although I’d worked in the beauty industry for as long as I could remember, and as a teenager, I’d been obsessed with make-up and skin care, I didn’t need to wear a face full of make-up to go outside and I saw nothing wrong with messy buns. However, what I’d seen was not something I was happy to share with the wider world, and a shower, a bit of war paint and washed hair would make me feel better.
Body armour.
Seph had hung up by the time I got to his table. “You okay?”
I nodded. “I need to shower.”
He smiled. “Here’s your room key. It’s all sorted.”
“I owe you big time.”
“You’re letting me have your apartment while the new partner at work moves into my house.”
“Pardon?”
He folded his arms, his biceps now looking big enough to burst. “Max and Jackson appointed a new partner in my department and she needs somewhere to live. That’s who’s moving into my place.”
“Your place that you were going to rent out anyway.”
“That’s not the point.”
“Did you interview her?”
“Nope. My older brothers decided, as usual, that they knew best. She starts after Christmas.”
“You have been complaining about the amount of work. To everyone. At least once a day.” I desperately needed that shower.
“This is true. I just hope she’s competent and hard working.”
“And about fifty and wears her hair in a bun.”
He looked at me puzzled. I shook my head. “The hotel next door?”
“Yes. I’ll go see Liam in an hour or so. Text me how he is.” His head dropped back down to his screen and I saw a look of frustration cross his handsome face. Now was a good time to go.
* * *
The hospital felt much the same when I returned. Quiet but busy, ultra-white and shiny. It had that same smell that all hospitals seemed to hold, disinfectant and cheap air freshener.
Liam was back in his room, but this time there were less tubes attached. Andrew stood near the window, giving me a smile when I came in the room.
“He should wake up in the next couple of hours. They’re happy with the results of the scan and can bring him out of the coma. It’s good news.”
My heart started to thud and I felt light headed.
“That’s good news.”
“It is. I’ll leave you with him while I grab some food. Call me if you need anything.” He squeezed my shoulder as he left, leaving me alone with the man who had been my enemy.
A nurse breezed in, checked his statistics, scribbled something in the file at the bottom of his bed and gave me a smile.
“He’s starting to stir. When he comes around, press this if we aren’t here already,” he said in heavily accented English.
