Page 47 of A Simple Love

“Do you ever hear from Mandy?”

“All the time. She comes to visit. I go see her. Her husband thinks I’m a hero. She tells everyone I saved her, but if she hadn’t come forward…” She shrugged. “I think we saved each other.”

“And he lost. Everything.”

“He did.”

“Payback can be a bitch. Especially when they have strawberry-blond hair and wicked knees.”

She giggled, the sound making me smile. “I wish I’d gotten a few more of those in. It was very satisfying.”

“I’ll remember to stand back next time I make you angry.”

She gave me a smile, then sighed and ran a hand over her head. “I’m tired.”

I stood, offering her my hand. “I’m not surprised. You’re mentally and physically exhausted. Let me help you to bed.”

She stood, and I was pleased to see she didn’t grimace. I followed her down the hall, noting her steady gait and sure footsteps. I went to the kitchen and got her more water for later. In her room, I waited until she came out from the bathroom, the hoodie gone and a long, faded, and extremely thin T-shirt replacing it. Despite the ragged condition, I recognized it right away. It was an old one of mine with a band logo on it. I had left it behind for her.

Twelve years ago.

And she was still wearing it.

Our eyes met and locked, the air around us warming. “Nice shirt.”

“It’s comfortable to sleep in.”

“I see.”

“You want it back?”

I laughed. “No, it looks way better on you than it ever did on me. Then again, all my clothing looked good on you.”

“It helped me through some hard nights.”

I pressed a kiss to her head. “Good.”

I lifted the blanket, beckoning. “In you go.”

She slid in, and I pulled the blanket up around her.

“Did you take more meds?”

“Yes.”

“Do you need anything?”

She paused, her fingers worrying the edge of the blanket.

I crouched down, meeting her eyes. “Tell me what you need.”

“I’m always a little tense when I think about what happened.”

“I’m not surprised.”

“Sometimes I can’t sleep.”

“What can I do?”