We stare at each other for a second. She opens her plush pink lips, and I lean forward, eager for what she’s going to say.
“You’re not wearing your sling. Or a top. You’ll get cold.”
Ah. Yes, I left the sling off because it was in the way, and the shirt because my arm was tight enough from swelling, and I didn’t want to mess around with it. I nod, accepting she’s right. I don’t even mind, because her telling me off feels surprisingly like care.
“You’re a good nurse, aren’t you,sweetheart?”
That shudders through her, and her cheeks go pink. She likes being praised, does she?
“It won’t heal as well if you don’t keep it still. And it’ll bleed more. How is it this morning?” She’s approached, almost despite herself. Drawn to me as I am to her.
Or, more likely, drawn to my wound and to her calling of helping people.
“Where is it? The sling.”
“Upstairs,” I admit.
Her annoyance is cute. “I’ll get a new one for you.”
She returns a few minutes later, having helped herself to the stash of medical supplies that I was given at the hospital, and draws up a chair next to me.
“It’s been bleeding,” she chides me gently. “You need to be more careful. I’ll change the dressing now, before I go to work.”
“Hmmm.” I still don’t like that she’ll be out for more than twelve hours for her shift. But a deal is a deal.
Even though the wound is swollen and much more sore this morning, Callie’s touch is still better than anything. I let myself relax a bit, and watch. Her focus is admirable.
And yeah, I have to clench my teeth as the dressing sticks, but she has the distilled water to ease it, and at least my skin isn’t crawling. It’s as good as it’s going to get. And Callie is so close, I can smell her peaches scented hair.
“There,” she says when she’s done, including having put a sling on me and draped my suit jacket over my shoulders so I stay warm. Adorable.
“Have coffee with me.” It’s not quite an order. “You haven’t even had caffeine today.”
“I’m a tea girly.” She smiles. “Can I get you anything?”
I blink, because that’s ridiculous. I’ve steamrollered myway into her life, and she’s offering to fetch drinks for me? We’re going to sort this out.
“Thank you. I don’t eat breakfast.” Unless it was her juicy little cunt. I’d definitely be hungry for that kind of sustenance.
She scowls at me like a cross kitten. “You should. It’s good for you!”
“You’re right. I’ll make sure tomorrow we have breakfast together.”
Her eyes go wide. “That wasn’t what I meant.”
“It’s the least I can do for myroommate, who’s helping me out with these dressing changes,” I reply, and it’s too easy, because she hesitates. “And I’ve arranged for Jack, my second-in command, to drive you to the hospital.”
“But I walk? It’s around the corner. It’ll take longer in the car.”
I raise one eyebrow at her.
“This is beginning to sound like…” She struggles to find the right word.
The correct term is coercion. I don’t say it.
“It’s for your safety and comfort,” I tell her instead. “Just a kindness for my roommate.”
She sighs.
