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“I’m due a grocery shop.”
He filled the fork and shoveled it into his mouth. Eating straight out of the casserole dish. Which was fine, I guess. “Want me to get you a plate?”
A grunt in the negative.
“The good drugs wore off, huh?”
Another grunt, as he shuffled past me over to the dining table. There he sat in the same slow and careful manner. With lots of scowling. “I didn’t realize how good they were until they stopped working. Honestly, who takes someone off morphine to give them Tylenol? I’m amazed they can even say it with a straight face, without laughing their asses off.”
“Did you sleep okay?”
He shrugged.
“I actually slept really well. Sharing a bed with you works, apparently,” I said.
I filled a glass with water and set it beside him. Then I started making my morning coffee. Because caffeine. I’d sneaked into the bathroom upon waking and brushed my teeth and my hair. Then washed my face and applied concealer, mascara and a tinted lip balm—going for the epitome of natural woke-up-this-way beauty. Wanting to impress a man was hard work. I’d even worn my best pajamas: black cotton with white piping. Much nicer than my usual old tee and panties. Not that he was in any condition to notice.
But having him in my space in any condition made me nervous, apparently.
“The only time I’ve cohabitated with a male was when I went on trips with a boyfriend,” I said. Just making conversation. “Beside my father and brother when I was little, of course. Have you ever lived with someone? Not that it’s what we’re doing. You know what I mean.”
“No.” His voice was gruffer than normal. “Things never got that serious.”
I gave him a half smile. “You mean you didn’t let them get that serious.”
“Guess not.”
“So just vacations?”
“Yeah.”
“This’ll be a learning experience for both of us,” I said. “I’ve put out fresh towels in the bathroom if you want to take a shower.”
“Thanks. Feels like I’m still covered in grit and dirt from the road.”
“I’ll change the sheets so those are fresh for you too. The waterproof cover for your cast is in the bathroom. Do you want any help in the shower with bandages or anything?”
“No,” he said quietly and kept eating.
I sipped my coffee and watched Kat butt her head against his leg. He reached down in slow motion and gave her a scratch. Seeing him in pain was horrible. He was normally so big and strong and sturdy. Why, a mountain couldn’t take the man down. And some asshole behind a wheel had almost succeeded. A terrifying thought.
“Have you taken your meds or do you want me to grab them?”
“I’ve taken them,” he said. “Think it might be best if I go home.”
I paused. “Why?”
Nothing from him.
“The doctor said you should have someone keep an eye on you.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“You got hit by a car,” I said. “Give yourself a minute. Please.”
“I don’t know.” He glared at the chicken and rice. “This feels off being here like this. I don’t want to be in your way.”
“You’re not in my way. I know this is different than what we’re used to, but it’s okay to need a little help right now. And, Lars, I would like to help you.”
His free hand curled into a fist. This was not normal Lars. This was in-pain-and-pissed-off Lars. A very different creature. “Because you think it’s your fault I was crossing that fucking street.”
“Because I care about you and want to help.”
“Susie, the shit I said at the hospital last night...”
“You remember that?”
A line appeared between his brows. “Some.”
“You were high as a kite. People say all sorts of things when they’re under the influence.”
“Yeah,” he said finally. “About me staying here. We don’t have the sort of relationship where—”
“You mean like friends?”
For a long moment, he said nothing. Then he looked up with his usual frown and took in the still cluttered dining table. I had been too worried about him after getting back from the hospital to deal with it all. Sitting in the darkened bedroom watching him sleep instead. What that said about my feelings for the man was best ignored. The napkins, candles, and silverware were still laid out. He blinked and stared as if he couldn’t make sense of the scene. “You did all of this for last night?”
“It’s not a big deal.” I shrugged. “I wanted to do something nice for you with Tore moving out. I know you said you were fine with it, but...”
He just stared at me.
I took another mouthful of brew.
“From what I remember at the hospital, you were dressed up pretty fancy for a night in, too.”
“I like to dress up. I mean... I like to look nice for you too. That’s allowed, isn’t it?”
“Sure.”
No way did I hide behind my mug. Such behavior would be childish and cowardly.
