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“Anyway.” The doctor clears his throat. “Noah sprained his ankle during the accident. Nothing is broken, but he did a number on it. He also has a laceration on his leg that we cleaned up. It didn’t need stitches, but I’d like for him to keep an eye on it, because we don’t want it to get infected. I’ll have Penny print out the instructions and give them to you.”
I nod, and when Dr. Ward isn’t looking, Penny rolls her eyes.
“I would like it if you could stay off your foot for a couple of days,” he says to Noah. “Your ankle needs rest and ice.”
“Rest and Ice. Got it.” I turn to Noah. “I’ll just plan on staying with you for the next couple of days.”
“He’s your fiancée,” Penny exclaims. “Don’t you live with him?”
“No.” I might not be southern, but I do my best to tack on some southern belle charm. I press a hand to my chest, feigning disbelief. “Daddy would not approve of that. No shackin’ up until we’re married. Right, sweetie?”
“Shackin’ up?” Noah says.
“Whatever.” Penny walks out, followed by the doctor, and Mikey claps his hands together.
“Well, folks, I’ve gotta get going.” He walks toward me and squeezes my shoulder. “Lennon, I’ll swing by Noah’s tonight and make sure you two don’t need anything.”
“Wait. What?” Noah pulls his hand from mine and scowls up at Mikey. “She’s not really coming home with me.”
“Yes, she is.” Mikey looks to me for confirmation, and I nod. “How else would you get home? You don’t have your bike, and your parents are out of town.”
“You,” Noah says. “You can take me home.”
“Sorry, man. Can’t. Gotta finish my shift. Plus, there’s no way in hell I’m taking care of your ass.”
“But you’re a fucking paramedic.”
Mikey shrugs. “So? I do that shit all day long. I don’t want to do it when I’m off. Plus, Lennon here has already volunteered to take care of your gimp ass.”
“This is a fucking joke.” Noah clenches his hands against the sheet. “She caused all of this,” he says, waving toward his ankle. “If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t even be here.”
“And that’s exactly why I want you to let me help,” I plead. “I feel horrible. I promise I’ll take really good care of you, and I won’t get in your way at all. And I won’t really move in for the next few days; I’ll just come by and make sure you don’t need anything, maybe cook dinner for you.”
This isn’t exactly how I’d planned to spend my first few days in Heaven, but I like the idea of taking care of someone. Particularly this someone.
“You don’t even know me,” he argues.
I stick my hand out to shake his, and all he does is scowl. Mikey shoves an elbow into his arm and finally, reluctantly, Noah shakes my hand.
Mikey smiles. “Noah, meet Lennon, your fiancée.”
“Fuck.” Noah groans, dropping his head back on the pillow, and Mikey shoots me a wink.
***
“Turn here.”
Putting on my blinker, I turn left as Noah guides me through town.
“Now where?” I ask.
“Just keep going.”
Other than giving me directions, Noah hasn’t said a word. No “Thank you for the ride home,” or “I’m sorry for being such an ass earlier.” I can probably forgive him for not saying the latter, considering the accident was my fault, but come on, the silent treatment?
Rolling my window down, I turn up the radio, enjoying the warm, salty air as it whips through the car. Everyone looks happier here. People are rollerblading, riding bikes, and walking along the beach. It’s different than the city where people are rushing past each other to get to their destination.
It’s almost like time has found a way to slow down here, and I like it. So much so that it’ll be difficult to go back to New York when the time comes—if it ever comes. Heaven is the type of place you come to when you want to settle down and raise a family. I might not be ready for kids, but I’m ready to find a place I can call home.
