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She laughed and patted his shoulder. “We make a good team.”
When her eyes darted to me, Timothy’s attention followed. “Knox.” She smiled. “This is Timothy. He’s the hospital’s point person for the event.”
I held out my hand to shake his, maintaining eye contact but keeping my grip even. “Nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Crawford.” He grinned. As if he hadn’t just been lusting after my woman.
But she wasn’t mine.
When Kendall placed her hand on my arm, the contact soothed me enough to relax. Enough to remember why we were here. And how many eyes might be watching.
“Please,” I said, flashing Timothy a warm smile, “call me Knox.”
“Well, Knox.” He smiled. “We’re all very excited for your visit. Do you want to brief the team, Kendall?”
She explained the schedule and asked if there were any questions. She was a natural.
I couldn’t stop staring at her. The way her lips parted when she spoke. The sight of her dress clinging to her breasts before flaring out over her hips.
I hadn’t even realized she’d finished talking until Jude nudged me. “She’s captivating, isn’t she?”
You have no idea.
“She’s so much more talented than this job,” I said.
“Yes, but at least we get to keep her for now.” I watched my son out of the corner of my eye, wondering if he wanted another chance with her.
But as he walked off to join some of the players, I reminded myself that Jude was with Chrissy. And they seemed happy together. She and Jude seemed like a good fit.
Our group headed down the hall to the patient wing. Just before we entered, Kendall held up her phone. “You guys go ahead. I have to take this.”
I frowned as she turned and darted back down the hall in the direction we’d come. Her skin was pale, her expression drawn. And I worried that the call was about her mother.
I held the door open for the players, waiting until they’d all passed through before turning to follow Kendall. Her hair whipped behind her as she rushed down the hall and disappeared into the bathroom.
I waited for her to come out, and when time stretched on, I began to worry even more. When I couldn’t take it any longer, I knocked on the restroom door. “Kendall? It’s Knox. Are you okay?”
“Be out in a minute,” she called in a cheery voice. But I wasn’t buying it.
I leaned against the wall and waited. The door eventually opened, and she nearly collided with me.
“Hey.” I grasped her biceps. She seemed more than a little shaken up. “What’s wrong? Is your mom okay?”
“Yes.” She jerked her head back. “Why?”
“Because you took a call. And you looked concerned. So I…”
She pasted on a bright smile that I saw right through and said, “I’m fine.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Kendall.”
She huffed. “I’m not a big fan of hospitals.”
I didn’t know many people who were, but she seemed more affected by it. “Because of your mom?”
She nodded. “Because of the smells. The sounds.” She shuddered. “It reminds me of all the times I’ve had to wait for my mom. Wondering whether she’d survive the surgery or not. Worried about the future.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” More importantly, why hadn’t that crossed my mind?
