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I’m about to march out of this waiting room, tell him that he can’t toy with me like this, when he comes back. He saunters inside and picks up the duffel bag that he brought with him. “Come with me.” He looks over his shoulder and leads me to the far end of the hospital floor.
Zach opens the door to a room and my steps halt at the entrance. “What is this?” I whisper. The room looks like a mix between a hospital ward and a five-star hotel room. The bathroom door is open and I can see it’s almost the size of Mom’s current room. The entire space has a glossy wooden finish, including a huge TV and a chandelier.
Who the hell needs a chandelier in their hospital room?
Apart from that, there’s an additional living area separated by a carved wooden partition. It’s equipped with a couch, an additional bed, and a small kitchenette.
“I knew this hospital was building some deluxe rooms. This is the only one operational at the moment and Gigi will be their first patient. How do you like this?” Zach asks while I’m still taking in his words and my surroundings.
I close my eyes for a second as a sinking feeling develops in the pit of my stomach. My mind has never been more conflicted. The care Mom would get here is out of reach for us, and now Zach is offering it to us on a silver platter. But I can’t take it from him. I once took money from a man without knowing what it meant. I won’t do it again.
“I can’t afford it, and you are not paying.” I press my lips together, turning my gaze away from him.
“Hope, just listen to me.”
I’m about to storm out of the room when he grabs my hand and leads me to the soft couch.
“Please, hear me out. I know Gigi is your mother and I’m no one to make any decisions. But I’m asking. Please let me do this forher.” His hands squeeze mine, still clasped in his grip. “She mentioned last night that I’ve become part of your family and I feel the same. Tell me honestly, don’t you think of me as an erratic and insane friend?”
He smiles the same lopsided smile, and as before, a shiver runs through me.
I look away from him, from his gorgeous and handsome face.
“I know you’re still angry about my proposition of financial help, but this is different.”
My gaze returns to him. This time better prepared to fight against his charms.
“While you work at night, I can stay with Gigi. I can work and relax better here.” He motions toward the living space. “So, it’s not only for her or you, but also for me.”
A lump forms in my throat at his consideration for my crazy work schedule. Since Dad’s death, we’ve had no one to rely on but each other.
“I don’t know, Zach,” I mumble. As much as I want to accept his offer, there is fear gnawing in my belly that I’ll have to pay a heavy price for all this.
“Don’t think too much. Just say yes.”
I consider his words and rack my brain for all my other options but come up empty-handed.
I gingerly nod, ignoring the voice in my head cautioning me that I’ve taken an easy route.
“Good. I’m glad you agreed because I had nothing more to say.” This time when he smiles, I’m prepared for the shivery sensations. “There is one more thing I need you to agree on. I’ll take Ray to your house and we’ll pack a bag for both of you. Then, I’ll take him and Mr. Stanley to my place.”
I start to protest as the feeling of losing control of my life hits me, but Zach places his hand over my mouth. My heartbeat goes wild. If I thought I was prepared for his smile, I wassowrong.
There is a tsunami of shivers coursing through my body as his hand lies over my lips.
“Let me finish,” he continues without removing his hand. “My place is much closer to the hospital. William can take care of Ray during the day, so you don’t have to worry about him. Will can also help you with your orders in the evening and with the deliveries, so you get more time with Gigi here. Think about it.”
My brain only registers half of what he’s saying. Half of it is fixed on his hand over my mouth. His palm is right on top of my lips.
Caring Zach is breathtaking!
If I was curious about playful Zach, my body is attracted to caring Zach, which is insane on my part.
“What do you say?” he asks in a low voice.
He knows what he’s doing, and to give the final touch, he smiles.
I close my eyes. I can’t think straight when he’s casting such a spell on me.
