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“Sorry, I couldn’t wait,” Mom said. She tilted her face up for a kiss and Dad obliged. “I’ll order you whatever you want while you shower.”
She handed him the menu.
“What did you have?” he asked.
“Eggs Benedict and the quiche,” I replied.
“Hmm. That’s not at all what I want. Chocolate chip pancakes sounds better.”
I laughed. “You do know the chocolate chip pancakes negate the entire workout you just did, right?”
“You gotta live a little,” he announced.
My dad had always been in good shape. His gray T-shirt was damp with sweat, so I knew he’d gotten a decent workout.
“Smoke awake yet?” Dad asked.
“I don’t think so. I was just about to go check on him though.” I eased off the bed and kissed my dad’s cheek. “Do me a favor?”
“What’s that?”
“Try not to glower at him when you look at him.”
He sighed. “Am I that obvious?”
“Yes.” I smirked. “I know you’re just being a dad, but he doesn’t deserve your dad glare.”
“I’m supposed to just ignore the fact that he’s old enough to be your—”
“Don’t finish that sentence,” I said lightly. “And yes. You’re supposed to ignore all of it. He saved my life.” I glanced at Mom. “You talk to him. Please?”
“I will.”
I went to the connected suite door and gently pushed it open.
“You don’t have to tip toe. I’m awake,” came Smoke’s raspy voice. “I called for the nurse. She’ll be here in a few minutes to help me to the bathroom. I gotta piss.”
“Lamp?”
“Yeah.”
I turned on the bedside lamp and the room lit up in an amber glow. There was a soft knock and I slowly went to answer the door.
The nurse entered and helped Smoke with his IV bag to the bathroom. She got him back to bed as I was hanging up the phone.
“I just ordered you some scrambled eggs,” I said to Smoke.
“Thanks. That took all of my energy for the next two weeks.”
The nurse left with the promise that she’d come back within the hour to administer more pain meds and his antibiotics.
“You already ate?” he asked.
“With Mom. While you were asleep. She came in and got me.” I shot him a look. “She found us in bed together…but don’t worry, she won’t tell my dad.”
“I respect your father’s need to protect you,” Smoke said. “And if he wants to give me shit to make sure I’m the right man for you, then I’ll take it.”
“You might feel differently when I tell you what I’m about to tell you.”
