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He nips my skin.
“You also said to give you time,” I murmur. He leans back, and his blue eyes turn dark, the same color when his mood becomes serious. “It’s been ten weeks. Are you ready to tell me what happened?”
Samuel steps away and runs his fingers through his short hair. “I’m dealing with it in my own way,” he mutters.
“By working yourself to the bone?” I croak out the last word as it holds more truth than anything. I reach for him so I can wrap my hands around his neck and stare into those beautiful eyes of his. “At least write in the journal. It helps. And then when you’re ready for me to read it, it will be easier than you having to live it over again.”
Samuel stares at me for several seconds. He nods, it’s subtle, but I don’t miss it. “Now, the other ring…”
“Dad-da,” Rose trips and hits her head on the corner of the coffee table. She screams hysterically. Samuel grabs a clean dish towel and applies it to the cut while I hold her in my arms.
Blood is on her cheek and hands. “It’s okay, baby,” I whisper to soothe myself as much as her.
“Come here, munchkin.” He takes her to the bathroom and sits her next to the basin. I help hold her hands while he cleans the blood away. She’s still sobbing, and all I want to do is cuddle her.
“It’s okay, Rose.” I take her in my arms so she’s at eye level for Samuel.
“It’s close to her eye.” He shakes his head. “She is lucky. I’ll grab a surgical pack to clean it and then dress it.”
“Does she need stitches?” I shout after him.
“No, I have special glue I can use.”
I play games with Rose in the mirror to distract her until Samuel returns.
“I also have Moo-moo.” He hands Rose her special pink fluffy toy she sleeps with or cuddles when she’s upset.
Rose takes Moo-moo and squeezes it close to her chest. I lift her chin, and she watches Samuel’s face closely as he assesses her. She stares at the glue as he applies it, and when it dries, he covers it with a tiny piece of dressing.
“How long will this last?” He winks at Rose.
“Were you seriously asking Rose?” I laugh.
He lifts her down and ruffles her hair. “Go slow, kiddo.”
“I bought a round coffee table so we wouldn’t have accidents like this.” I follow behind Rose.
“It was impact, Eden. Her skin just split. Happens to kids all the time.”
I settle on the lounge next to Rose and switch on the television for her to watch her favorite program. “Do you see a lot of kids at the hospital?”
“Some.” Samuel comes and sits beside us. “You were about to tell me something before Rose fell.”
I take his hand and envelop it in mine. “Before you came back, I felt lost. Afraid. Ethan was there for me and as afriend,” I emphasize the friend part. “He was trying, and over eight months, I knew he’d changed.” Samuel says nothing, yet I sense his contempt for Ethan. “On my birthday, he gave me a gift, a friendship ring.”
“Eight diamonds as a friendship ring and no strings attached?” The lines on his forehead deepen. “Bullshit,” he states. “He hoped for more.”
“True,” I say quickly, not wanting to lie. “He knew I wasn’t ready. Two days later, you came home. I tried to give it back, but he said to keep it. A gift and nothing else.”
“Did you ever wear it?”
“Twice. Before you…” I swallow hard.
Samuel gazes at the television, and I can’t read his face. “You realize by keeping it he’ll always think there’s hope for you two.”
“I told him there’s not. You’re the love of my life.”
His brow furrows, and his gaze lowers but not to me.
