AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER17
Liam
I knew Kyleigh needed to study after class, but she had been sitting at the desk with her nose in the laptop for hours. I thought she could use some refreshment, so I put my hand on her shoulder and asked, “Babe, can I get you something to eat or drink?”
She shook her head. “I’m almost done. Two more questions.”
I walked back over to sit and watch her. She was so dedicated, but I was worried that she was pushing herself too hard. If I tried telling her that, she’d think I was butting into her business, and I wasn’t about to make that mistake again. I’ve made enough already.
Her last two questions seemed to be giving her a hard time as they took almost thirty minutes to complete. When she finally closed the laptop and turned to me, I could see the stress on her face.
“Liam, I don’t think I can do this,” she said.
I patted the spot next to me and she joined me on the couch. “Of course you can. If Finn didn’t think you could, he never would’ve sent you. Trust me, I’ve known him a lot longer than you have.”
“I thought this would be so much easier because I’m a nurse, but there are so many things I don’t know. I’ve never even seen some of this equipment at the hospital. I’m starting to think we are not as equipped as I thought we were.”
“Finn knows what he’s doing. If he thought that equipment was vital to the hospital, he’d have it there. I’m sure you are being trained on things that are not needed in your country yet.”
She looked at me and said, “Are you just saying that to make me feel better?”
“Would I do that?” She nodded and I said, “Maybe, but that is not the case. I look at it the same way I do construction equipment. There are a lot of tools I do not own, because they are not relevant to what I do. That doesn’t mean I don’t know what they are. Not sure if you’re following what I’m trying to say.”
“Surprisingly, yes. Maybe you are right. I mean, we learned about breast augmentation today. No one has that done in Tabiq. You are as you were born. If that means small breasts, then that’s what you get.”
“Not something you have to worry about,” I reminded her, trying to lighten the mood.
She shot me a warning look that said she was trying to be serious.
“Sorry. I have a hard time being serious when we’re talking about boobs,” I winked.
“I know what will take that playfulness right out of you. We also learned about catheters that they insert in a man’s penis so he doesn’t urinate during surgery.”
My nuts pulled in close to hide – a frightened, disgusted feeling. “I get it. We are talking about medical equipment. Nothing sexy about it.”
“No. But you definitely keep things interesting. What did you do while I was studying and doing my homework?” she asked.
“I was thinking we could go out this weekend since you don’t have class. It will be our last two days together, because I will need to fly back to Tabiq. My parents will be arriving and I don’t want them there alone,” I said.
“Your brother is going to be there, and I’m sure other family members as well,” she said.
“Finn has his hands full with the wedding and the hospital. As you know, getting around in Tabiq can be challenging. I want to be there to ensure they are…all set.” I was speaking carefully, because I didn’t want to imply that I felt her country wasn’t safe.
“That is such a thoughtful thing to do.”
“With Finn living in Tabiq now, there’s just me in Ireland with our parents. Feels weird being the one to look after them. I’ve always thought it would be Finn. The distance makes that impossible. Well, I say that, but my mother calls Finn for just about everything. I don’t know why – I’m only a few miles away.”
She laughed. “I think parents enjoy driving their children crazy. Of course, I’m an only child, so all that means I don’t get any reprieve.”
“Speaking of parents, you know you don’t have to go into the bathroom to call her each morning. I know better than to make my presence known,” I said.
“I’m sorry. I did it the first time so I wouldn’t wake you. Now I just try to give you some peace. My mom asks a lot of questions - many of which I try to avoid answering,” she said.
“Like you do with me?” I asked.
“I don’t know what you mean,” she responded.
“I asked you about going away with me. You didn’t answer my question,” I reminded her.
