“It was not nothing, Hank,” Bethany said, her eyes likeshining twin stars. “What you did tonight was truly amazing. You saved Tia’s life. We—I thank you.”
Bethany’s words from the kitchen floated in his mind:I can’t do this with you.
Hank’s gaze met hers. For a moment, the room disappeared. He hadn’t done what he’d done to earn Bethany’s approval. His reactions had been instinctive—a summer of first-aid training in Boy Scouts brought to life. He hadn’t thought beyond that. And he would not wish the last hour over again. But the way Bethany looked at him now—it made him feel like he could scale a mountain or leap tall buildings in a single bound.
“I’m so sorry I brought that dessert. You were wonderful.” Daphne hooked her arm through his. “A real superstar. Everyone needs to know what a hero you are.”
Hank blinked. He’d forgotten she was in the room. “I wasn’t alone. All of you helped.”
“But you’re the man of the hour, aren’t you?” She gave him a smooch.
His female costars and rabid fans were easy with their affections, kissing his face and draping their arms around him all the time. He’d never enjoyed it, but even less now with Bethany’s eyes on him. Daphne’s flirting seemed outrageous and wrong. He removed his arm from hers, ignoring her pout.
“Let’s allow Tia some rest now,” the doctor said. “We’ll keep her here overnight for observation. However, if all is well, she should be able to go home tomorrow.” She looked at Rosie. “You’re welcome to stay in the room if you’d like.”
Rosie nodded.
“We brought you an overnight bag,” Bethany said. “You should have everything you need. Tana can stay with me tonight. I’ll bring her by in the morning.”
Travis spoke up. “You and Daphne need a lift home?”
And that’s how Hank ended the night squashed between Daphne and Tana in the back of Bethany’s tiny Toyota.
Bethany toldherself Hank was off-limits. He was too theatrical, too larger-than-life. Too used to being doted on by the opposite sex and getting whatever he wanted.
But seeing him in the backseat of her Toyota—this large man, used to roomy, expensive vehicles with a driver, scrunched between a yawning five-year-old and a woman who wanted nothing more than to strip him naked—made him seem vulnerable. Her eyes kept meeting his in the rearview mirror before he caught her at it, and she shifted her gaze back to the road.
“I’ll take Tana home first,” she said to Travis. “It’s after one, and she’s falling asleep. I’ll get her to bed, and you can drop off Daphne and Hank at Rosie’s so they can get their cars.”
“Oh, I didn’t bring a car,” Hank said. “There’s only one at Rosie’s, and it’s Daphne’s, not mine.”
“I can give you a ride, Hank honey.”
Bethany tried to stop herself from glancing into the back seat and failed. Daphne had her chest pressed against Hank’s shoulder. Hank’s eyes met hers, and he had the audacity to grin before turning to Daphne.
“Kind of you, but my ride is already on its way. Beth can drop me off at her house, and I’ll be picked up there. Travis can take you along to fetch your car. As long as that’s okay with you all?” He directed the last bit toward the front.
“Sure,” Bethany said. Did her voice sound a little breathless?
Daphne persisted. “Couldn’t your driver give me a ride to my car?”
“Afraid not. I need my beauty sleep. I have to be in the gym tomorrow by 7 a.m.”
“What gym do you go to? Maybe I could tag along?”
Bethany couldn’t imagine how Hank would untangle himself from Daphne’s suggestion without being rude.
“Sorry, my workouts are intense, and I can’t afford distractions. I always work out alone.”
She should have realized a woman like Daphne would prove no match for Hank. He appeared to have plenty of practice in dealing with clingy females.
Ten minutes later, she swung into her driveway and put the car in park. “Home sweet home.”
Travis stretched and opened his door. “I’ll carry Tana into the house.”
But Hank was halfway out of the car with the sleeping child in his arms. “I’ve got her. You okay to drop off Daphne?”
Travis raised his brows at Bethany until she gave a slight nod, indicating she would be fine. “Sure,” he told Hank.
