After breakfast, I gather my things along with Tater’s and pause near the door.
“If you’d like her to stay with me while you’re out, I’d be happy to have her.” Diamond, still in his sweatpants and bare feet, leans against the wall and glances into the living room.
Placing her dish back on the floor, I glance at my dog stretched out across the floor in a sunbeam. Part of the reason to come to Kissing Ridge was to give her a better life, too. She would definitely prefer staying here, being treated like a princess.
“She likes you, and I think that would be great. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He barely smiles, and I hate it.
Fuck, I don’t like Diamond being upset because of me.
“I’ll, ah…text you when I’m done.” With a nod, I turn and leave. As I drive away, the only thought in my head is that I hope I didn’t just fuck all this up.
Because I’m definitely falling for the guy.
“You should have gotten stitches.”
The doctor gives me a stern stare.
“I was out of town, and the hospital there was questionable. Then there was my dog…” Yeah, okay. Sounds pretty lame when I say it out loud. “I just wanted to get away from the event and go home. I wasn’t thinking.”
“You’re going to have one hell of a scar. I’m glad you came in when you did because it’s definitely infected.” He pauses for a moment and presses on a puffy part of my hand. My arm jerks, and I try to pull away. “I know it hurts, but this needs to change. In three days, if this part doesn’t look better, Rhett, you might need surgery to clean this up. I’m also giving you an updated tetanus shot.” The nurse enters the room with the vaccine as the doctor types out the prescription and prints off the sheet before handing it to me.
“You’ll need to rest. This is a hefty dose of antibiotics, and you might have some gastro issues, but they might make you drowsy as well. If it’s remotely possible, please do nothing strenuous for the next three days.”
I wince as he pokes me with the needle, but not because it hurts. “I get the keys to my house tomorrow. I’m supposed to be moving in.”
“I’d ask your friends to help with that if it can’t wait. Seriously, Rhett. You won’t be feeling too great.”
“Okay, doc. I’ll see what I can do.”
After leaving the doctor’s office, I walk to the pharmacy down the street and drop off my prescription before walking back to Gabe’s office. His receptionist greets me with a smile and tells me to take a seat.
While I wait to see Gabe, I let my mind wander back to Diamond and this morning. Hell, to the night before even. Somehow, he’s become more than just a guy I occasionally connect with physically. He’s more.
“Hi, Rhett!” Gabe interrupts my thoughts, and I stand to greet him.
“Hi, Gabe. I know I’m not supposed to be here until tomorrow, but I was really hoping we could sign everything now.” His receptionist is listening a little too close, and I lower my voice. “Can we talk in your office?”
“Of course.”
When he closes the door behind us, he holds up a finger and picks up the phone. “Bring them down in ten, please. We’ll sign today.”
He hangs up the phone, and his easy smile falls into place. “So, what can I help with?”
“I hurt my hand and just came from the doc. He said the meds will probably hit me hard. I wanted to sign today just in case I’m holed up in the bathroom tomorrow.”
“Ah…I see. What about the keys? You still can’t get those until the other lawyer does the paperwork and we get the payout over to him. Which…how do you want to handle that?”
“Is there a way I could get the draft today? Like, we could guess the amount or something?”
“We could. You’ll make the draft to me, and I’ll hold it in trust. If the amount fluctuates, I’ll just add it to the amount you owe for services. I know the other lawyer, and we can make it all work out.”
Gabe’s receptionist knocks and enters with a thick file for him and leaves.
“Is there something else on your mind? Off the record, of course.”
“Yeah, um…first, thank you for your generosity and for allowing me to stay with you. I know Hunter offered, but it’s your house, too. I appreciate your kindness.”
