He obviously loved Charlie with all of his heart, and his devotion is what dramatically changed her opinion of him. Remington was a hard man, but this situation had humbled him. She supposed it would humble any person. Still, Sky had had a chance to see him at his most vulnerable and his ability to not wave a magic wand and make everything better was clearly difficult, especially since that was how he seemed to solve most of his problems—maybe not with a wand but definitely with a phone call—except for when dealing with Bella. She drove him insane. There was still a lot of passion there. Sky wondered if maybe they had unfinished business.
It wasn’t often Sky was able to have an unguarded moment with Remington. However, watching him sleep when his facial features were relaxed was sobering.
I wonder what his lips would feel like on mine. Sky almost choked. She couldn’t believe the wayward direction her mind was going. She could not and would not lust after her patient’s father. She was a doctor, not some . . . whatever the word was for watching people without their permission. There was a reason she was in Charlie’s room, and it wasn’t to ogle her father.
Sky moved as quietly as possible over to her chart so that she wouldn’t wake him. There were a couple of things Sky wanted to discuss, but they could wait until later when he was awake.
Out of the blue, Remington spoke. His voice was raspy from sleep. “Any change?”
Sky jumped a little and placed a hand over her heart. “You startled me.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“No need to apologize.” The intensity of his gaze caused a flutter in her stomach. Sky took a deep breath. The way she had been feeling lately around him had unnerved her. Without even trying, Remington seemed to be awakening something deep inside of her that Sky hadn’t even known existed. It wasn’t all physical. She wished it were. Sex was easy. Emotional entanglements were not.
Remington asked the question again. “Is there any change?”
Sky cleared her throat. “Every day, her vitals are getting stronger.”
“Will we be able to wake her out of the induced coma soon?”
“If she keeps improving.”
Remington rolled his shoulders. “This waiting is killing me.”
“I can only imagine.” Sky had an idea. She placed Charlie’s chart back on the wall. “Might I offer a suggestion?”
“If it’s to go home and get some rest, no. I’ve heard that suggestion and million times, and for the millionth and one time, I’m not leaving my daughter.”
The edges of Sky’s lips lifted into an almost smile. “I think we all have figured that out.”
His eyes narrowed. “Wait. Was that an almost smile, Dr. Kirby?” Remington wasn’t sure if Sky even knew how to smile.
“A smile?” She removed it from her face. “Definitely not a smile, but maybe a smirk.”
“A smirk?”
“Yeah, something that resembles a smile but isn’t exactly one.”
Remington had to admit it was better than her judgmental looks. They ate at him more so probably because of the guilt he was already carrying. “Okay, we’ll go with a smirk. So, the suggestion?”
“Right. Well, you look like a man who works out, and we have a gym for the physicians on the top floor of the hospital.” Sky tilted her head from side to side. “If you knew someone with a few connections, they might be able to get you access.”
He was surprised at her suggestion. It wasn’t as if they had any real conversation outside of Charlie.
His hesitation made Sky second-guess her offer. “Or, not.”
“No. I’m just surprised you would suggest it. I think it’s a great idea.”
“Blame Charlie that I did. She brings out my good side.”
“Okay, now that’s a real smile.”
“I’ll never admit to it.” Sky liked the way they bantered back and forth.
Remington was already thinking about how good it would feel to get in some exercise. “I could work out and still be close if Charlie.”
“Exactly. She will need you in tip-top shape when she wakes up.”
“A good run would definitely help release some tension. I think I’ll take you up on your offer.”
“Great.” Sky checked her watch. “I have another patient to see, but I can meet you by the elevators in about fifteen minutes.”
*****
Sky entered the empty gym with Remington following close behind. At least she thought it was empty until Noah walked out of the locker room. He spotted her immediately and made a bee-line directly for them.
She could see his mind making connections where there weren’t any as he looked between her and Remington. His grin had mischief written all over it. There was no way to avoid him, and it took no time at all before they were standing face to face. He leaned in to kiss Sky on her cheek, but she reared back just in time so that he caught nothing but air. “Hey, babe.” Noah played it off with a little laugh. “If I had known you were coming up for a workout, I would have waited for you.”
Sky hadn’t talked to Noah since the disastrous meeting a couple of weeks ago. She started to move past him, but he continued to block their path. “I think we got the timing exactly right.
