I huff out a laugh that stops her. “You mean because of thatdickweaselwho couldn’t take no as a no?”
“Fair enough. My point is that we only met in less-than-ideal circumstances. Are you sure you want to see me after I leave this room? I’m a mess.”
“You might think that what I’ve been saying is because I got hit in the head with a glass bottle only hours earlier, but listen closely...I have a feeling, deep down, right here—” I point at my chest “—that we were meant to meet in this life. I don’t know why exactly. But how I see it, there’s only one way to find out, so yes, I want to keep seeing you after we leave this damn sterile room.”
“Do you actually mean that?”
“I do,” I promise, hand on my heart.
“This just got way deeper than expected.”
“That’s what she said.”
She throws her head back and laughs, wiping her cheeks with a tissue she took from the dispenser. “You didn’t just say that!”
“But I did.”
“Dork,” she nudges my arm as she sits back beside me. After that, a comfortable silence falls over us, and I close my eyes, ready to sleep for a while. We have time to talk more about the topic later.
6
SPADE
“Spade,” a woman whispers, and I feel her voice deep in my bones. I slowly open my eyes and stare at the ceiling, not remembering where I am. It’s all wrong compared to my apartment in Brooklyn.What the fuck happened last night?
“How are you feeling? Still sore?”
Turning my head toward the voice, it all comes back when I see those blue eyes that have captivated me—I’m in a local hospital after a festival bar fight. And I hadn’t even had a drink yet. My head hurts, and there’s an itching sensation right where the stitches are.
I can’t believe my carefully planned trip started like this. I definitely couldn’t have even imagined something absurd like last night…but it all still happened.
“What time is it?” I ask groggily, my voice raspy with sleep.
Tanya glances at the smartwatch on her wrist. “Just past 7 a.m. We both slept for a few hours. The nurse just woke me up when she came to check your vitals.”
“Did she say anything to you? Is everything okay?”
“It looks like it, but you should talk with Dr. Rhodes.”
I’m about to respond when the man in question walks into the room, seemingly too energetic after a night of working. “Good morning, Edmund. How are we doing this beautiful Saturday? I heard you and your girlfriend had some sleep. That’s always recommended for healing.”
My body stiffens at him calling Tanya my girlfriend. I do find her attractive and easy to be around, but I don’t know what she thinks about me.
Trying to focus on myself instead of what he said, I reply, “I’m okay. No new symptoms that I can think of. Besides the pain in the area where the stitches are and being tired after staying up until three, I feel pretty normal.”
“That’s great news. We won’t hold you here much longer if you feel okay.”
“What comes next?” Tanya asks, sitting in the comfy-looking chair where she must have slept.
“One of the nurses will give you the instructions on what to do after you leave our care. It would be best if you kept checking on Edmund for another day to ensure he has no delayed symptoms. No driving or strenuous activities like exercise or sex until he feels normal.”
Thanks, Dr. Rhodes, for putting thoughts about me, Tanya and sex into my head. I appreciate it…not.
“How long will that be necessary?” I ask curiously. I should make alternate travel plans if I can’t drive for the next two weeks.
“It depends. But it looks like you managed to avoid any lasting damage, so maybe a day or two. A week tops. Just listen to your body, okay?” I nod slightly. “The nurse will also give you the information on how to take care of your stitches.”
“Thanks, Doc. ” My stomach growls, and I realize I haven’t eaten anything since last evening. “Is there a cafeteria open somewhere near, so we can buy something to eat?”
