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I pulled back with a frown and blinked rapidly. “What are you talking about?”
Stevie crossed the room and shoved a bag in my arms. “I brought the necessities for you to make yourself human again. We have a surprise for you Mom, so let’s get moving.” She clapped her hands with a purpose, the same way I had seen her do when she was leading her squad in a routine.
“Brat,” I murmured under my breath.
“I heard that,” Stevie shot back, a smile in her voice.
I rolled my eyes and gave Levi one last lingering look before I stood up and made my way to the bathroom to do as my daughter instructed. To make myself human again. Inside the bag I found my face wash, moisturizer, body lotion, a hairbrush, and the perfume I tended to wear most often.
I had to laugh at the clothes Stevie had chosen, a spaghetti strap sundress that hit just below the knees, the perfect dress to show off the great majority of my bug bites. I was hoping to look a little sexier when I saw Levi, but he’d already seen me in sweats with hospital bed hair, so this was a big step up I suppose.
I primped until I looked as good as I could, took a deep breath before I stepped out like the badass I felt like.
And promptly took Levi’s breath away.
Chapter 28
Levi
She was gorgeous.
Stunning as she stepped out of the hospital bathroom looking like a million bucks. Her bruises and bug bites were hardly noticeable in the bright yellow dress with large pink and white flowers that made her look like the sunshine that lit up the sky. Her sun-kissed skin highlighted the freckles on her shoulders, and it all worked to make her sexy waves look like a golden halo around her head.
“Damn Lacey, you look beautiful.”
She blushed prettily like it was the first compliment she’d ever gotten. “Thank you, Levi.” Lacey glanced around the room and sighed. “What about this surprise you were telling me about?”
I laughed and glanced at Stevie. “Did we say that?”
Lacey arched a brow and folded her arms, tempting me to talk. “Pretty sure you both are plotting something.”
“Come on superstar, let’s get out of here.” Stevie and I grabbed her things and headed to the car while Lacey received aftercare instructions from the nurse and an overwhelming farewell by the staff.
“She looks uncomfortable,” Stevie commented as we leaned against the car watching Lacey from the pick-up bay.
“She’ll get used to it,” I assured the girl.
I felt Stevie’s gaze on me, her eyes serious and assessing. “Did you?”
“No,” I admitted. “I tell the stories, I’m not part of them. But in this instance, your mom is the storyteller and a character in the story.” The more I watched Lacey, the clearer it became that she felt trapped by all the attention and praise. “I’ll be right back.”
“Her hero,” Stevie called after me in a sing-song voice that put a smile on my face.
“Sorry ladies, we have to get the patient home to rest and hydrate.” I flashed my most charming smile and wrapped a possessive arm around Lacey, enjoying the way she leaned into me as if relieved I was there. “Thank you for taking such good care of Lacey.”
The nurses smiled and tittered as they waved of us. “Wish I had a man like that of my own,” one nurse said loudly. “Does he have any brothers Lacey?”
She shook her head, arms wrapped around mine as we walked out of the hospital. “That was a lot.”
I put one of her hands to my lips, brushing a soft kiss across her knuckles. “You’re a star now Lacey, and everyone wants to know you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Take me home. Please.”
“Gladly.” I pressed a kiss to her lips before we all piled into my car and headed for Lacey’s house. The drive was mostly silent, each of us lost in our own thoughts. My mind was full of thoughts of Lacey, swinging from happiness and relief that she was home safe, to fear and anxiety of what I had to do today. Share my feelings.
It was the last thing in the world I wanted to do, but Michelle has cajoled and chided, and literally twisted my arm to make sure today was the day I told Lacey, in no uncertain terms, how I felt about her. If I could find the courage. And the words.
Lacey gasped beside me as we turned onto her block, the streets lined with cars, balloons, streamers and signs welcoming her home, congratulating her on her success, and telling her they were all proud of her.
“What’s all this?”
“Your adoring public Mom. Duh.” Stevie jumped out from the back seat with so much energy, I wondered if I could bottle and sell it.
