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A laugh slips out of me. “He is. But I think yours might actually be worse. Not many people can make me dislike them before they’ve even introduced themselves.”
Chapter 6
Nolan
After feeding, burping and changing Jonah, I gently lay him in his bassinet, and he falls back to sleep. “That was easier than I thought,” I say, turning to face Daisy. I catch her mid-yawn.
“He isn’t always this good,” she admits. “He definitely has his moments.”
“I’m sure he does,” I reply as I leave her sitting on the bed and head back into the kitchen. After washing my hands, I grab a glass and fill it with water. “Where did you put the painkillers the doctor gave you at the hospital?”
“I slid them into my backpack with the paperwork.”
“Do you mind if I grab one for you?”
“Please. My hands are throbbing.”
After popping one from the foil packet, I carry it back to her. “Stick out your tongue.” Once she does, I place the small white pill on it, then lift the glass to her lips, tipping it enough for her to swallow.
“Thank you,” she says, dropping her head with a sigh. “This is bullshit. I feel so helpless.”
“You should be able to remove some of the bandages in a few days. Things will get easier once you have the use of your hands again.”
She lifts them in the air. “Do I really need this much padding?”
I chuckle. “I agree it’s overkill, but some of your cuts were pretty deep.” I set the glass on the nightstand. “Hop up. Let me pull back the covers so you can lie down. Some sleep will do you good.”
“I can’t sleep while you sit there watching me.”
I roll my eyes. “I’ll close the partition.”
“It still feels rude.”
“One of us needs to get some rest, Dais, and despite you thinking I’m old, I’m still young enough to pull an all-nighter.”
“I’m sorry there’s nowhere for you to lie down.”
“I’ll survive, darlin’. But in the morning, would you consider staying at my place for a few days? Just until you can manage things on your own.”
Her eyes fall to Jonah before returning to me. “I appreciate the offer,” she says softly. “I really do. But I barely know you.”
“Sleep on it.”
“Okay,” she answers with a slight nod, and I don’t miss the crack in her voice.
I squat down in front of her, clasp her ankle and slide off her shoe, followed by the other. When my gaze moves back to her face, she bows her head, so I hook a finger beneath her chin and gently lift her eyes back to mine. The tears now pooling in those milk chocolate orbs hits me square in my chest.
She’s carrying more than anyone her age ever should, but she keeps putting one foot in front of the other for her son. Even now, exhausted and hurting, her first thought is what’s best for him.
Leaning in, I place a soft kiss on her forehead. “I’m here for as long as you need me, darlin’. It will all work itself out in the end.”
Despite claiming I could l pull an all-nighter, I’m running on fucking fumes. I spent the night sitting at the tiny L-shaped table, and I know I drifted off because every time my head dropped forward, it jerked me awake.
At some point, the little man woke up hungry. I don’t know if Daisy was exhausted or if the painkiller had finally kicked in, but she didn’t even flinch when he started crying. Thankfully, there was another bottle in the fridge. So I fed him and let her sleep.
I hope she agrees to come to my place for a few days, because I’m not sure I can survive another night like this.
The sudden shrill of her phone startles us both. Jonah flinches in my arms and releases a small cry, which is enough to wake Sleeping Beauty.
