Page 56 of Billionaire Hunt

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Erik.”

He shook his head. “I told Oliver that I would take care of you, so let me do that. Besides, I spoke to your grandma. She insisted that I pick you up. Apparently, she’s heard of me before and is a huge fan.”

I never yelled at my grandma but I wanted to this time.

“Okay, after I’m discharged you can drop me off at my house, but that’s it.”

“That’s all I’m asking for. I just want to be sure you get home safely.” With a final long gaze, he started digging in his pocket for his keys. I could tell he was just fidgeting, trying to ignore the awkwardness that I also felt between us.

Finally, he gave in, reached for my hand and I forced myself to pull my hand away. He looked hurt by the motion, but didn’t comment on it. Instead, he said again, “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“I’m glad to be alive too. I wouldn’t want it any other way, but let’s keep things platonic. No more touching or anything, okay?”

“I just touched your hand. That’s about as innocent as it gets.”

“Innocent touch or not, I would prefer not to go down that road again.”

He looked like he wanted to argue with me, but then changed his mind. “You’re the boss.”

“Yes, I am,” I said, meaning it.

He waited with me silently as the nurse described the discharge procedures and a patient care assistant came to put me in a wheelchair.

“I don’t need a wheelchair,” I whined as she forced me to sit in it.

“Sorry, ma’am, hospital policies.”

For some reason, the idea of riding in a wheelchair when I could walk totally bothered me.

“The quicker you get in that wheelchair, the quicker we can get you home,” Erik offered, much to my annoyance.

I knew Erik had a point, but I wasn’t going to give Erik credit for anything.

Minutes later, I was sitting in Erik’s sports car. The patient care assistant kept telling us that we made such a cute couple. I didn’t bother to correct her after the first time. I was exhausted.

“I’m sorry I didn’t think to bring a better passenger car.”

“I’m sorry too. This car is stupid.”

“It’s better than my motorcycle.”

“The motorcycle has its merits. Hey, do you think you could pull this fancy shmancy car of yours into the parking garage?”

He looked at me strangely. “Why?”

“I want to sneak upstairs and see Lacey’s baby.”

“Lacey had her baby already?! But I thought she was in false labor or something. Wasn’t she due in like two weeks?”

“Apparently her baby had other plans.”

“So, let me get this right, you want me to sneak you back into the hospital, even though you just had surgery and you were just discharged?”

“I’ll only stay for a minute.”

“A minute?”

“Yeah. I promise.”