But she was already gone, that knowing smile back on her face.
Frowning, I stood and headed for the waiting room. Probably Mrs. Kowalski with more apples, or one of my other patients wanting to—
Tucker Barrett stood by the door.
My heart stopped.
He looked... rough. Hair disheveled. Jaw clenched. Eyes shadowed with pain. He was holding himself stiffly, one hand pressed to his temple, and I knew immediately.
Migraine.
He’d driven down the mountain with a migraine starting. To see me.
Our eyes met across the room, and I saw it all there—anger, pain, frustration.
“Emily,” he said, and my name came with an almost desperate edge to it.
I moved without thinking, crossing the waiting room in quick strides. “Exam room. Now.”
“I need to—”
“Move.” I took his arm, guiding him down the hallway while Mandy watched with barely concealed delight. I pulled him into the first empty exam room and closed the door behind us.
The overhead lights were too bright. I could see him wince, so I immediately turned them off and flicked on just the small lamp in the corner.
“Sit,” I ordered, and he did.
Just like the last time he was here, I grabbed the ice pack from the small freezer, wrapped it in a towel, and pressed it gently against his forehead. His hand came up to cover mine, holding it there.
“You shouldn’t have driven,” I said quietly. “Not with a migraine starting.”
“I had to.”
“Why? To tell me what an idiot I am? To make sure I know—”
“Emily.” He pulled the ice pack away, pulling my hand down so I had to look at him. “Stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Stop assuming the worst.” His jaw worked. “Stop thinking I don’t want you.”
My heart hammered against my ribs. “Tucker—”
“I was an ass this morning.”
“You were—”
“Let me finish.” His eyes met mine, dark and intense even through the pain. “I woke up with you in my arms. Best damn sleep I’ve had in years. And my first thought was that I wanted to wake up like that every morning.”
I couldn’t breathe.
“Then I saw you trying to sneak out. Trying to leave like it meant nothing. Like I meant nothing.” His hand tightened on mine. “And yeah, I got pissed. Said things I shouldn’t have. But not because I wanted you gone.”
“Then why—”
“Because I’m an idiot who doesn’t know how to use his words.” He pulled me closer, until I was standing between his knees. “Because I’ve been alone on that mountain every day and had convinced myself I was better off that way. Then you showed up with your sass and your pie and those eyes that see too damn much, and you destroyed any sense of peace I’d found.”
Tears pricked at my eyes. “I’m sorry, Tucker.”
