“Hush, child, I’m fine—” She eased away, brushing back a stray lock of ebony hair from her cheek. “I have your father to worry over all that. Let me look at you…” Her eyebrows tipped together into a V, creasing her still-smooth brow as her gaze skimmed over my face to my jaw. “You’re hurt. What’s happened, darling?”
“Training, got hit.” I kissed her flushed cheeks then groaned. “I have a sore head, I’m gonna go take something for it.”
She cast me a fond smile. “There’s Advil in the kitchen.”
“Thanks, Mom. Where’s Aunt Mary?” I asked, heading indoors.
“We insisted she take a break since you and La would be home this weekend. She’ll be back on S…Sunday.”
My father’s older sister currently lived with my parents and acted as caregiver to Mom. Though Dad worked from home as a tax consultant, he had to go out occasionally to meet with clients. We were all grateful for Mary’s presence.
In the kitchen, the tempting aroma of something savory wafted in the air, which did nothing to perk my waning appetite. Yup, it said a lot about how miserable I was feeling, considering food and I were in a serious relationship. But more, I knew it stemmed from Jack making no further attempt to contact me. I shut off my morose thoughts, got a glass of water and my meds from my bag, swallowed both, and hoped the temperature would ease.
I dropped both bottles into my backpack, hesitated, then pulled out my cell. Nope, just that one missed call from him earlier. Right.
Voices from the living room drifted to me. Mom appeared in the kitchen, her anxious gaze searching my face.
“It’s just a headache,” I reassured her, slipping my cell into my pocket. “I’ll be fine after a nap. I’ll eat later.” Giving her a quick hug, I trudged upstairs, trying to ignore the ache in my ribs.
I opened the door to the room at the end of the corridor that hadn’t changed in…forever.
The double bed with its purple and green comforter took up space in the middle. Twin bookshelves flanked a study desk near the undraped window overlooking the backyard to where tall trees edged our property. At the corner, near the side window, I had a small TV on a stand.
My gaze settled on the framed quote I’d hung above it.I licked it, so it’s mine.
That one still made me smile. Ila hated it. Freshman year seemed like a lifetime ago. Back then, she’d rolled her eyes at it, so I licked her cheek.
Blowing out a weary breath, I dropped my backpack on the floor and lowered to the bed, hoping I’d feel better for the festival tomorrow—aww crap! I groaned. I was in a jam. With this injury, I couldn’t do any water sport. I retrieved my cell from my shorts’ pocket and called Mrs. Watts, the organizer of the booths and amusement activities for the fundraiser.
She answered on the third ring. “Ray? How are you, dear?”
“Hi, Mrs. Watts, I’m fine, just got home a while ago.” I shifted on my bed, trying to get comfortable. “About the dunk tank? I can’t do it this time. I have my…period.” I rolled my eyes. Better than saying, “I got stabbed.”
“I can do anything else as long as it’s not water-based or too energetic.”
“Oh, dear, we’re all full-up…hmm. Hold on a second, let me check…” Silence drifted down the line, and I closed my eyes. “Yes, there is something, the kissing booth. We’re short a girl. Maddie Dawson pulled out just this morning with the flu. But I have to check the roster and see which time slot she was allocated.”
“Okay. Thanks, Mrs. Watts.” I ended the call and dropped my cell onto the bed.
That was easy. I just had to stand there for three hours and pucker up, no tongues.
Yup, I would need my Chapstick and a pack of tissues for those who dared for more. I sighed in relief as the pain in my chest eased to a dull throb and sleep hovered.
Man, I really, really liked these prescribed pain meds…
JACK
“Justin, I’m leaving for the day.” I shut my office door behind me, damn glad the hectic morning was over. Farther down the corridor, Margo exited the senior partner’s office, her piercing stare settling on me. I ignored her. If it was important, she’d make it known.
I glanced back at my PA. “Anything important, you can reach me on my cell. Oh, and I’m not available for the weekend either. I’ll see you on Monday.”
As I headed for the bank of escalators, my thoughts drifted back to Ray. She was in my bed, and I was at work. Not the way I’d imagined this would play out. But a lot had changed in my outlook since that first kiss. Yes, I wanted her badly, but not just in my bed. I liked spending time with her. She was funny when not trying to skewer me with her sharp glares and sarcastic tongue. She made me feel alive.
Recalling the wound on her abdomen, my gut twisted that she’d gotten hurt. I longed to plant my fist in the damn drunk’s face, but that was off the table. The cops had called and informed me they’d spoken to Ray and had booked the bastard for assault, forcing me to reel in my anger. At least the mother and child would have a degree of peace for a while.
The door to the elevator rolled open, and I stepped inside. Margo followed.
“Grandmother.” I gave her a short nod in greeting.
