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“Why not just tell her I’m a nerd and I like rom-coms?” Shifting on the bed, a sharp pain shoots through my thigh, and I suppress another moan.
“You can’t complain if it’s true, big bro.” Kiersten smiles at Miranda. “I’ll be taking care of him, don’t worry. He makes a terrible patient, but I know all his secrets. He’s going to rest, even if it kills him.”
Giving my sister a glare, I look at the nurse and ask, “Are we done, Miranda?”
Nodding she gathers her paperwork and smiles. Sort of.
I note the strange look on Miranda’s face like she wants to say more, but the orderly arrives to take me downstairs. After a long stare off with him, I give in. Leaving the hospital in a wheelchair as an EMT feels similar to the walk of shame the morning after, or what I assume that walk would feel like.
During the entire trip down to the lobby, my sister and Miranda whisper behind me. Unfortunately, the guy pushing the chair is fast, so I can’t make out what they are saying.
“Okay, big brother. Buckle up and relax. I promised Mom and Dad I’d stay with you, at least for tonight. Do you want me to stop and pick up some food? Anything you want. My treat.”
“Just let me have it. I know you. You’re up to something. No need to butter me up with my favorite takeout. And no taking advantage of my downtime.”
The look on my sister’s face says all I need to know.
“C’mon. You’re not going to make me pay up for the last bet I lost, are you?”
Kiersten is three years younger than me, but for as long as I can remember she was our mother’s little helper, taking care of me and West, our younger brother, when both Dad and Mom worked late hours.
“C’mon, just rip the bandage off. What have you come up with this time? Am I going to have to run naked through the station? Or serenade the nuns at St. Michael’s Rectory, again?”
Chuckling, she said, “Now why would I make you repeat that horrid rendition of ‘Baby Got Back?’ Those poor nuns.”
Deciding on delivery pizza so we don’t have to stop anywhere, I remain silent the rest of the way home, too tired to worry anymore about what my sneaky sister has planned for me.
An hour later, after devouring half a pizza and a gallon of water, I stretch out on my couch with a pillow and blanket, fighting off sleep.
A thump on my shoulder brings me back to the moment. “Hey, stay awake. I’ve got an opportunity of a lifetime to discuss with you. And if everything goes well, you’re going to owe me big time.”
3
Heather
Bags ready to go.
New hair style.
Sexy, flowy beach wear.
Check. Check. And check.
But what I really need is a net to wrangle the horde of butterflies taking up residence in my stomach. Miranda found me a date. She told Tamara who my “date” is, but they decided it would be more fun if I were surprised while assuring me the guy ticks off all the items on my list.
Forty minutes later, I’m fidgeting in my seat. My heart threatens to jump into my throat with each person entering the luxurious private plane belonging to Stefan’s mysterious rich friend. Trusting two of my closest girlfriends to have my back and help me show my ex he messed up royally has turned out to be harder than I expected.
I mean, they love me. I love them and they want the best for me, so I’m sure the guy I’m being set up with is going to be great, right?
Oh my god, where is the puke bag? The flight attendant greets someone new and I can’t look. Behind me, Tamara and Stefan are oblivious to everyone else and Ben and his girlfriend, Lucy, are laughing and carrying on.
Breathing deep, I look back toward the front of the plane. My breath freezes. On the verge of hyperventilating, somehow, I plaster a fake smile on my face.
Walking toward me, a devilish grin on his too handsome face, is Rex Stafford. A beautiful bouquet of red roses in his large hands. Not that I notice. The size of his hands, that is.
What is Miranda thinking? I haven’t seen him since I transferred out of the ER last year and haven’t thought about him since. Well, that may not be exactly true, but she knows how I feel about the heartbreaker EMT. I never thought his flirting was real, just a reflex, when he directed it at me.
Watching closely as he closes the distance between us, I notice a slight limp in his stride. Dropping my gaze to his feet, I don’t see any reason for his unusual gait. Suddenly, the flowers appear in front of my face, their scent an instant balm on my nerves and my confusion.
