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“You did say you’d do anything to protect me. If I eat this, I’ll be up all night with heartburn. You wouldn’t want that, would you?” she asked.
“I am a man of my word. Okay. I’ll eat yours too,” I said, reaching for her plate. I wasn’t sure I’d survive eating mine, but hell, after a couple of bites, I probably wouldn’t be able to feel anything because my tastebuds would be scorched off.
When I brought the spoon to my mouth, she grabbed my hand and said, “I was only joking. Don’t eat it.”
“But your aunt's feelings will be hurt,” I reminded her.
She pulled out her cell phone and said, “No she won’t.” Then she got up and went into the back room. When she returned, she was smiling.
“What did you do?” I asked.
“I told my aunt that I was sorry, but I had to get back to the hospital right away. She understood and said that you are welcome back to her home anytime. And Ryker, that’s a huge thing. She doesn’t let everyone come here. You must have really made a good impression on her,” she stated.
“That’s because she thinks I like her cooking,” I replied. “And for the record, what I could taste, tasted good.” I took Meri by her hand as though we’d been doing so for years. With our fingers entwined, I led her back to the SUV. When we got inside, I said, “Where to now?”
I could think of a nice beach we could walk on, or maybe go for a drive. Any place. I just didn’t want this to end. Even though we weren’t alone, and had a driver, I enjoyed Meri’s company.
“I told you that I have to get to the hospital.”
“I thought that was just a story for your aunt,” I replied.
“Well, it happened to work out in our favor, but it was the truth as well. As you know, I oversee the nurses, or at least I think I do” she sighed as we got inside.
“Of course, you’re in charge. Who else would be?” I asked.
“Brice. Bennett. Heck, maybe even you. But when I am there, I don’t feel like I’m the boss. I feel like I’m kept in the dark about so much stuff and it bothers me,” she said.
I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her fingers. “Meri, I can’t answer for anyone else, but I can tell you, I’m not hiding anything from you.”The question is, are you hiding something from me?
I knew Bennett wanted to push her for answers, but I couldn’t. She’d told me things that I hadn’t asked about. Painful ugly things about Tabiq. I couldn’t imagine her hiding things from me. From Bennett, well that was different. I was hiding things myself. Like how much I liked and cared for Meri.
“Sweetheart, you can't go back to work. You haven’t eaten,” I reminded her.
“Don’t worry. I’m looking forward to the bland soup tonight.”
I chuckled. “You know that soup is sounding a lot better after the acid that is burning my stomach lining right now.”
“And now you know why I eat it. Maybe when you come tomorrow to have your stitches taken out, we can have lunch together,” she suggested.
Hmm. Guess I didn’t need to push too far. “I’d like that. But would you be opposed to my bringing lunch from the resort for the two of us?”
“I guess you can, but just this once. We can’t make a habit out of it,” she stated.
With the clock of my departure ticking so fast, we couldn’t make it a habit even if we tried.
We pulled up in front of the hospital and I asked, “Did you want me to walk you in?” This wasn’t a date, but I was being considerate of her safety. Or so I told myself.
She shook her head. “I don’t need any rumors starting, thank you.” She grabbed the handle to get out when my cell phone rang. “Perfect timing. Sounds like someone else needs you.”
I looked at it quickly and said, “I’ll answer it later. I can guess what it is about anyway.”
“Really? What is that?” she asked, and I regretted saying anything.
“Mombo. Not that Bennett will tell me much, but he will remind me that I should be back at the resort where I belong.” I hated how he thought he could tell me what I could do. Unfortunately, the driver worked for him, so Bennett knew exactly where I had been and what I was doing. That needed to fucking end fast.
“Sounds like we are both only told what people want us to know. I don’t like it,” she said.
“Neither do I. I think I’m going to go back and see Reesa. Maybe I can get something out of her,” I stated.
