Opening my laptop. I pull up my schedule to see what I’ll need Charlie to cover for me. Luckily, there isn’t much I can’t do from bed this week. There are only two face-to-face meetings she’ll have to take since my face isn’t exactly camera ready.
Owen doesn’t move a muscle. He stares a hole through the side of my head while I use my computer as a distraction before finally picking up my phone and pulling up Charlie’s name.
“Hey, lady. I was waiting to hear how your date went. It must have gone if it took you this long to call,” Charlie says when she answers.
“Hey...” I pause, not sure what to say.
Owen bumps my knee with his.
“So, it’s no big deal and I’m fine, so please don’t freak out...”
“Shit. What’s wrong?” she cuts in.
“Promise you won’t freak out?”
“Promise.”
“Well, I sort of fell on my hike yesterday. Like pretty far.”
“Daisy, no! What happened?”
“Well, one second I was on the trail and the next I wasn’t.” Yes, I’m a coward, but I’m not ready to say the words out loud. “I have a concussion, lots of scrapes and bruises, and I have to wear a boot because I tore some tendons from my ankle.”
“That doesn’t sound like you’re fine.”
Well, I’m not dead.
“I’m fine, but not exactly up to seeing clients. I look like the walking dead.”
“Where are you?”
My eyes dart to his. He can hear every word. The house is quiet, and he’s left little space between us. “I’m at Owen’s.”
There’s a moment of silence on the other end of the line. When she does speak, there’s a smile in her voice. “And why is that?”
“He was on duty and showed up on the scene. He followed the ambulance to the hospital and offered to let me stay here since I can’t drive and need to be watched.”
“Interesting.”
I don’t reply to her statement.
“Why didn’t you or Owen call us yesterday?”
“I made him promise not to. I felt stupid. Everyone told me the date was a bad idea.”
“Does he need us to take you off his hands?”
“No, I’m good here. Besides, you’ve got the baby.”
“I’m sure Mia and Gus have room for you.”
“No need. I’m comfortable here.” I look up and lock eyes with him. “I have Maui to cuddle with, so that’s a bonus.”
Doing his best to find my last comment funny, the corner of his mouth lifts, but he’s disappointed. Not only am I downplaying our relationship, but I haven’t told her the whole truth about my fall.
“The dog. Right.”
My cheeks heat because she’s put two and two together.
