“I-I should get back inside.”
I closed my eyes for a moment before breathing out and opening them. “Of course.”
I pulled away from her, her hand still in mine. As much as I didn’t want to let her go, I did, the ache at missing her touch driving me insane. I’d been suffering this way for half a decade. It didn’t seem to be getting any easier, either. Now I fully knew the depths that Anson suffered when he’d fallen in love with her and couldn’t have her.
I got out, went to her door, and opened it. I helped her out, and she winced, her breath coming out in a sharp gasp. She faltered, and I was quick to catch her before she fell.
“You OK?” I asked.
“Yeah. This just sucks.”
I got her moved away from the door and swept her into my arms. She stared at me.
“Carry your crutches, and I’ll carry you,” I said. “OK?”
She nodded, her eyes sweeping over me. She clutched the crutches, and I wasted no time getting her to the elevator in the parking garage.
“Y0u don’t have to keep carrying me,” she said. “I’m heavy.”
I snorted at that. “I can come up with a hundred words to describe you, but heavy would never be one of them. Trust me.”
She said nothing as we went higher.
“Ry?”
“Red?”
“You should go out tonight. I think it would be good for you. I worry about you.”
“I’m fine,” I said softly. “Promise. I have things to do anyway when I get home.”
“What do you have to do?”
“I have to find a decent place to take you and sweat pea to so you can get your nails done.”
She smiled at me. “You’re funny.”
“You’re funny if you think I’m kidding.”
She shook her head, a smile on her lips.
I liked making her smile. It was my favorite pastime.
The elevator dinged as we arrived at the top floor. The door opened, and I stepped out, her in my arms yet.
“You can put me down now,” she said, smiling up at me.
“Nope.” I walked her straight to the door before I placed her gently on her feet. I took note of the guard from earlier eyeing us from his spot on the couch.
“I’ll let you know about the appointment. Any particular day?”
“Soon. I want neon cheetah nails.”
I grinned. “Girl, you keep it up, you’ll have cheetah toes too.”
“Ooh. Don’t threaten me with a good time.”
“If you think that’s a good time, then I think I could really set your skirt on fire if I got to keep you overnight.”
