Page 101 of The Sweetest Return

“Yeah.”

His voice had dropped enough to pull heat low into my stomach.

“We said we were taking our time.”

“We are.”

“You showing up at my door at eight in the morning would not qualify.”

“That’s why I’m on the phone.”

I laughed softly.

“At least one of us has sense.”

“Don’t get carried away.”

Something shifted again, then I heard a faint groan.

The heat left me just enough to pay attention.

“Your knee?”

“It’s fine.”

“Dre.”

He sighed. “About a four.”

“How long has it been bothering you?”

“Off and on since last night. All that standing didn’t help.”

“You were on your feet most of the gala and half the day before that.”

“I know.”

“Did you ice it?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I rolled my eyes, though he couldn’t see me. “I’m serious.”

“So am I. I iced it.”

“Good.”

“That approval?”

“Don’t get excited.”

“Too late.”

I smiled.

There was a time when pain would have irritated him enough to make him push harder simply because his body had dared tell him no. The man on the phone sounded different. Still Dre. Still stubborn. But no longer trying to outrun every limitation.

“You staying in bed for a while?” I asked.