I never knew she was such a schemer.
I tiptoe around the room gathering my sleep shorts and new clothes for the morning. I can’t help but glance at her again before leaving. Her pale skin glows in the bright moonlight filtering through the curtains. It illuminates her just enough that I can see her dark hair fanning out on my pillow.
I like it a bit too much.
I likehera bit too much.
13
Makenna
“Makenna.”Ahandtouchesmy shoulder, giving a tiny shake. “Wake up, lass.”
Lass? What?
I’m confused for a moment before it all comes back to me. Malcolm. I open my eyes and find my handsome helper leaning toward me, a tray in his hands. “Good morning.”
“Mornin’, I’m sorry to wake you, but it’s after eleven. I thought it might be best if you get up. And I brought food since it’s been quite a few hours since we ate.” He lifts the tray in his hands, slightly. “Eggs, toast, and a banana.”
“Breakfast in bed? What a nice, unexpected service. I’ll have to include this in my review.” I carefully sit up in bed, hoping to have miraculously woken with fantastic hair.
Malcolm chuckles and sets the tray in my lap. “I’m doing everything I can to earn five stars from you.”
“I have a good feeling about it.”
He grins and my stomach flip-flops. I’ve got to get out of his house before I fall hard and end up sad.
I take a bite of the eggs. “Mmmm … these are great. They’re soft like my mom’s. Thank you.”
“Of course. As it happens,mymam taught me to make eggs like this.” Malcolm takes a seat in a chair by the window and for the first time I look around the room. There’s a nearly full hamper in the corner. There’s deodorant and what looks like his hospital badge on the dresser. This is Malcolm’s room. His bed. What happened?
“Why am I … in your room?” I ask as I turn my head toward Malcolm who is sitting fully relaxed, his red hair glowing in the light of the window.
“Ah. That will be my mother’s doing, of course. She fancies herself a bit of a matchmaker, I think.”
I feel my face flame. I’m sure he’ll set his mother straight. He’s a solid nine, and I’m at best a six. He’s a doctor. I’m unemployed. I have to stop before I start crying and really confuse him.
“Moms.” I laugh, hopefully projecting a nonchalance I definitely don’t feel. “They can be funny sometimes.” Mine certainly thinks she is; I’ve never known anyone to laugh atthemselves like mom does.
“They can. Usually they’re just looking out for us, aren’t they?”
Why is he so sweet?
“Usually.” I smile and when he smiles back the air feels charged and I’m suddenly very aware that I’m sitting in hisbed. “I can wash your sheets today. I’m sorry.”
“There’s nae need for you to be sorry. And there’s certainly nae need to wash the sheets. I’m glad you’re in here.”
He’s glad I’m in here?
Malcolm continues. “I … yeah. This is the better mattress between the two, so I’m glad for you to recover on it.”
That’s so nice and doctory of him.
“I appreciate that.” I nibble on my toast. “And I’ll be out of your hair as soon as I can. You’ll have your bed back tonight.”
He looks taken aback. “No. I mean … of course, you can leave when you’d like, but you’re welcome to stay. You’re still very much recovering.”
I swallow a sip of water. “I know you said you were off work, but you surely have other things you would rather do.”
