Page 10 of The Image of You

She shrugged. “I don’t know—something significant. But what, I haven’t decided yet.”

I studied her bare arms. The skin was pale, dotted with more freckles, making me want to know if those sexy little dots of gold were all over her body.

“Don’t mar your lovely skin until you’re sure. You’ll wear it the rest of your life.”

The door opened, breaking the bubble that seemed to have descended around us. “Alex! We need you!”

It was only when she stepped back I realized how close we had been.

She handed me some pills and a glass of water. “This will help with the pain. Take them, please.”

“You’ll be back?” I asked, doing as she asked.

She smiled. “Yes.” She glanced at the clock. “I’ll check on you after my break.”

“See you soon, Ally.”

“Alex,” she corrected me. “My friends call me Alex.”

I shook my head. “I like Ally. Or Nightingale.”

She pushed the call button into my hand. “I have the feeling there isn’t any point in arguing with you. Use that if you need it.”

I grinned at her retreating figure. I certainly intended to.

CHAPTER TWO

The slight creak of the door made the edges of my lips twitch, knowing what was coming next. Ally had checked on me every two hours. I’d hear the quiet footfalls of her feet as they came closer, the rubber soles of her shoes making a distinctive squeak on the worn linoleum floor. Then she would lean in, her floral scent surrounding me, and lay her hand on my arm, murmuring my name to wake me up, her voice a gentle balm to my ears. When I didn’t respond, she would shake my arm, then run her fingers over my head, calling my name louder.

Keeping up the charade, I’d blink and slowly open my eyes, offering her a small grin. “Hey, my Nightingale.”

She’d given up correcting me and only smiled at her nickname. I’d ply her with questions as she checked my vitals, inventing excuses to have her stay longer. Somehow, when she’d bend over to flush out my eyes, my hand always found its way to her hip. I held back my amusement at her muttered comment about “handsy patients.”

I knew her shift was over soon, so this was my last chance. This time, I planned on asking for her number, and to see her privately; tonight, if she’d agree. I wanted more time with her. A lot more time. I relaxed into the pillows, waiting for her touch.

But the footfalls were wrong, and the heavy hand on my shoulder jostling me made my eyes fly open. A tall, older woman was standing over me, my chart in her hand. “Wake up, Mr. Kincaid.”

“Where’s Ally?”

She frowned at me. “Alex’s shift is over. She went home. I’m Vivian.”

Disappointment spiked, and anger hummed down my spine.

She left? Without saying goodbye? I felt a flash of disappointment in my chest. Was I the only one who had felt that strange connection between us?

I sat up, ignoring the small burst of pain as my gaze flew to the clock. “It’s only five. She said she worked until six,” I insisted.

Vivian’s eyebrows shot up. “I wasn’t aware you knew Alex—or her schedule.”

“Yeah, we’re, ah, friends. Well, acquaintances. Good ones.” I stressed, hoping she’d give me some more information if she thought we were friends. But her response was short.

“Hmm. I’ve known her for a while now, and she’s never mentioned you.”

“She will soon.”

She crossed her arms. “Well, you can speak with her another time. I sent her home early.”

“That was kind of you.” It was, but I was still bothered by her leaving.