I nod, still trying to figure out how best to handle that dilemma. "He said Mads indicated she's worried she won't be included in any decisions regarding the future. But don't you think you being here will help that?"
Lindsey lifts a shoulder in a shrug, and the material shifts, revealing the hint of a collar bone that looks far too fragile.
"I hope so. I honestly haven't considered it. When she mentioned it, we hadn't talked about me moving in with you, so maybe it will." She tugs at the end of her shirt. "But that brings up another topic. How are we handling things here? I mean, you're going to need help showering and stuff, right? Do we need to discuss that?"
The subject change brings me out of my medicated daze. I blink at her bluntness but can't fault her for it. "Uh…I mean, I can do the bathing," I say awkwardly, "but getting there and back, and in and out of the shower's gonna be the challenge. The guys mentioned installing some grab bars to help. The doc okayed a chair for the shower, but I don't know when it'll get here."
"I just meant you're going to need help. At least at first. We're both adult, professional people. We can do this. Once we get you in there, I can step out to let you finish undressing. You, um, can cover up with some towels, and I'll just…come back in to help with your cast and stuff."
She's speaking matter-of-factly, but her face is taking on a pink hue I find more than a little amusing. As a firefighter, I've seen it all at this point, so her pink cheeks strike me as adorable. "Why all the blushes? You're pregnant, so you've obviously got some experience. Are you shy, Lindsey?"
She doesn't seem the type, but the glare she shoots me leaves me chuckling. My new roomie is prickly, but I like it. She'll have to be to put up with my moody self. I'm already bored out of my mind, and teasing her to a blush is going to be my new pastime and entertainment.
"We barely know each other. Actually we don't know each other," she counters. "All of this is kind of a crash course when it comes to introductions, don't you think?"
I grin at her and wink, earning another cast of pink and a glare. I can't help it, though. Maybe unmedicated, I'd consider the ramifications of flirting with my pregnant caretaker more carefully, but right now, I'm flying a pleasant buzz, and I like teasing her. "Hey, beautiful, I'm Kace McCallum," I say, pretending to introduce myself.
She just shakes her head at me, eyes glittering with amusement.
"Okay, fine," I murmur. "Let's get serious. What are your rules?"
"I suppose… If we find we're not happy with the arrangement or it's not working for either of us, for whatever reason, no hard feelings. We just move on. No explanations needed. We just communicate that our arrangement is over and keep it friendly and professional."
I get the feeling there's more to her words than the obvious, but I agree with a nod. That works for me. Our personalities might clash to the point that living together isn't beneficial, and I refuse to share a home with someone I can't live with, even temporarily. It's not healthy. For me or Lindsey—or the girls and the baby Lindsey carries. "Agreed. Also, the girls come first," I counter. "Any decision that affects them gets priority."
"Of course."
"And I have final say."
"They're your girls. That's a given."
"Good. Okay, so, we'll take this situation a day at a time, remain professional and keep things on an even keel."
"No promises for the future," she says in response to my words. "We'll just deal with the issues as they come up and end it as friends if our arrangement doesn't work out."
"Right. So we have a deal—or a trial by fire, such as it is. And since we're jumping right in…"
She blinks at me and seems to steel herself.
"Okay. What's next?" she asks.
"A shower. And it needs to happen now while the meds are working to take the edge off. I hate to ask, but I can't manage it alone. Can you help me?"
Chapter
Eleven
Lindsey
He wants me to get him naked?
Maybe it's pregnancy hormones, but I rein in the thoughts flittering inside my head and simply release an awkward sounding chuckle. "That is jumping right in."
His lips lift at the corners in a sexy grin I try not to notice.
But I do. Because Kace is that kind of guy. Between his tousled brown hair and beautiful hazel eyes, I don't understand why the man is single. I mean, sure, some women might not love that he's a single dad. And uncle. But both Dani and Madi are great kids from what I've seen.
So what's wrong with him?
