I leaned against the doorway. “I think so.”
“Great news, man. See you soon.”
And then it hit me. For years, I’d been so busy trying to shield Teague that somewhere along the way I’d failed to realize I could lean on him too. Perhaps that was a mistake. He wasn’t a kid I was trying to protect any longer.
Although in some ways, it was as if I’d been relying on him and Beau subconsciously. I’d call them for no reason, and maybe that was my way of not only checking on them, but fulfilling my own need. They were my friends.
I wandered back into Lexie’s room and sat beside her bed.
She was . . . beautiful wasn’t enough of a word. Even with her cheeks paled and hair a disaster, she was the loveliest sight I’d ever seen.
I might fall for you.
She said those words and remembering them caused my heart to beat faster, my breathing to quicken. Part of me wanted to warn her not to, that I wasn’t capable of being a partner or giving her what she deserved. But the other part clung to the hope that she would find me worthy.
She hadn’t fallen for me. She might fall.
And wasn’t that so very her? She’d keep me on edge, wondering if she would or wouldn’t. Because she always did the unexpected.
Her lids blinked open.
“You’ll be released soon,” I blurted, unable to wait to share the news.
A soft smile formed. “That’s good news.” And then her face fell. “Will I have to go back?”
She didn’t need to speak the word. I could barely think of the term jail when it came to Lexie.
“Zegas bonded you out.”
“So there’s a potential they’ll lock me up again,” she said flatly.
“Not if I can do anything about it.” I touched her leg. “The doctor wants you to rest for a few days. Let’s not worry about the unknown.”
“At least I’ll be able to make the afternoon deliveries.”
I gently squeezed. “No driving until he sees you again. In a week.”
“A week?” she screeched. “I can’t be out of business for a week. We’ll lose everything.”
“I’ll drive you.”
She rubbed her temples. Was she in pain? I hadn’t meant to upset her.
“You have your own empire to run, not to mention all the other stuff.” She waved her hand absently, though her tone was calmer than a moment before.
My main function was the purchase and sale of property. Considering I wasn’t allowed to do that, it was best to take a more hands-off approach until that was resolved. That couldn’t stop me from researching properties, but the business could handle my absence for a few days.
“I believe you’d prefer me behind the wheel rather than my sister.”
“I rode with her one time.” She shuddered. “Never again.” Her eyes widened. “Did she wreck the van last night?”
I placed a hand on top of hers. “No. Teague drove. And Pepper rode along for the morning deliveries.”
“She-she did?” Overwhelming gratitude was in her voice.
“Teague and Beau needed a time-out after last night. Pepper’s words. Not mine. Apparently my sister wanted to do things her way and he believed his strategy was better.” I smiled to myself at the thought of them bickering. At least it was always lighthearted.
Lexie put a hand over her mouth. “Teague didn’t let her have her way?”
“I suppose not.”
“He’s a brave man.” She snickered. “Have you talked to Eric?”
“Not this morning. I promised I’d make the afternoon deliveries with him.”
“You-you don’t have to do that.” She’d lost a little of her bravado from earlier. She seemed more uncertain.
Did she regret what she’d admitted?
“I want to.”
“Unless you want to wear hospital high fashion out of here, it’s time for you to get ready to go.” A nurse barged in with a garment bag. “Ready for me to unhook you?” She lifted a wire for emphasis.
“Yes, please,” Lexie said. “Though the offer to keep this gown is tempting.”
The nurse pointed at me. “That one might like the back view.”
I shifted uncomfortably, and Lexie turned scarlet. All I could think about was her satin skin and imagining the parts of it I hadn’t seen. But I wouldn’t sneak a look that Lexie didn’t consent to.
“I’ll give you some privacy.”
I closed the door behind me, not wanting the rest of the world to get a peek of her either. It was inappropriate to think of Lexie spread out on my bed, but the image wouldn’t evaporate.
And while it should’ve made me irritated she’d invaded my personal space, I found it had the exact opposite effect.
I wanted her there.
Chapter Eleven
Lexie
“I’m going with you.”
I swayed as I bent to pick up a sleek black heel.
Hands landed on my hips to steady me. “No.”
I straightened and wheeled around, again feeling unbalanced, tempted to throw my shoe at him.
How could one word evoke such a strong reaction?
“You can take that no and—”
“I’d like to spend time with Eric.”
Well, didn’t that just shut me right up?
I poked a finger in his chest. “You don’t fight fair.”
Lincoln knew how to get to me. He’d learned fast. But this wasn’t a ploy to get me to do as he wanted. It was obvious he genuinely wanted to keep his promise to my brother.
I’d relent to that every single time.
“Beau has an afternoon for the two of you planned.”
I frowned. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
He appeared confused. “I thought you’d like to hang out with her.”
Again, he was right. And too thoughtful for his own good.
“Have you ever used the phrase ‘hang out’ in your life?”
That didn’t seem like the vocabulary of Mr. Stuffy . . . who as it turned out was Mr. Kind too.
He tilted his head. “Probably not.”
I drooped my shoulders. “I don’t know how to sit around and do nothing for a whole afternoon.”
“What about an entire week?”
I scrunched my face in annoyance and then in pain. My head still hurt like a mother.
“I don’t think I could, even on an exotic vacation.”
I sagged, and he slid his arms around me. Without thought, I gave in, letting him hold me. It felt too good to resist.
He kissed the top of my head. “Me neither.”
I heaved out a sigh. Beau wasn’t the only one who didn’t appreciate being told what to do. I hated to leave others to shoulder my burdens.
But more than that, I was irritated with myself for my verbal diarrhea in the hospital. What sort of idiot would blurt out she might be falling for Lincoln Hollingsworth?
That wasn’t bravery. It was stupidity.
Especially when the only reaction was that same stoic stare. If I whacked him with my shoe, would he still have that look? Probably.
“The more you follow the doctor’s orders, the sooner you can get back to your normal life.”