I take the spoon from him and take a bite of the oatmeal, proving to him that I can feed myself. “Go. I’ll be right here when you get back, I promise.”
“Okay,” he says, placing a kiss on my forehead. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
I continue eating the oatmeal, thankful that it’s my left arm that’s broken and not my right. Being right-handed I will at least be able to feed and dress myself easier this way.
By the time Alek returns, the pain medication is taking effect. “Hey, how was your breakfast?”
He sits on the edge of my bed, “It was good. How was your oatmeal?”
“It wasn’t pancakes and bacon, but it was okay,” I answer honestly, as my eyes begin to grow heavy.
Alek chuckles and then leans forward and kisses my cheek. “I’ll make you all the pancakes and bacon you want when you get home. Sleep now sweet girl.”
I feel him shift off the bed and back into the chair as I begin to drift off once again.
The next time I wake, I open my eyes to find Janet in the same chair Alek occupied earlier. “Hi. Where’s Alek?” I croak my mouth once again dry.
Janet reaches for the glass of water on my tray, and moves to give me a sip. “Hey there. I sent him to your place to get some sleep and freshen up. You look much better than the last time I saw you, by the way.”
I swallow the water and take another sip, before I nod that I’m finished and Janet returns the cup to the tray. “Liar. I’m sure I look like a troll, because I feel like I’ve been under a bridge.”
Janet laughs as she returns to her seat, and reaches down and pulls a bag into her lap. “Well say hello to your fairy godmother. I have some dry shampoo, and I had the nurse bring in a fresh gown, so we can get you cleaned up a bit.”
“Thanks Janet.” I press the call button and my nurse Kandace appears a few moments later.
“What can I do for you Ms. McDaniels?”
“I wanted to get cleaned up and maybe sit in a chair instead of the bed for a little while.”
She looks first to Janet and then me as she smiles, “I think I can help you with that. Let me run and get some towels and toiletries for you and I’ll help you to the bathroom.”
“Thank you.” I turn my attention back to Janet, “And thank you Janet, for calling Alek.”
She shakes her head at me, “No need to thank me, I didn’t call him.”
Confusion fills me, “Then how?”
“I had your phone at the hospital, and he called after his performance. It took him less than two seconds to decide to jump on a plane and fly back here to be with you.”
I smile at what she’s just told me, because I know, even though he didn’t admit it, that Alek canceled shows to be here with me. “Did you know he canceled shows to be here?”
Janet huffs a laugh, “It wouldn’t surprise me. He may not be ready to admit yet, but that man is in love with you.”
Before I can reply, Kandace returns with a bag of toiletries ready to assist me with a quick bath.
Chapter 14
Alek
When I returned to the hospital last night, Rose looked much better than when I first arrived. As much as her visit with Janet refreshed her, it also provided some stress as she realized she wouldn’t be there to help with the flowers for the wedding they have scheduled this weekend.
I tried to convince her to let me stay again last night, but Rose insisted that I go back to her place and get a good night’s rest. When visiting hours ended, I kissed her goodnight and promised to return with a cup of good coffee and her favorite pastry for breakfast.
On my way to the hospital, I pick up a hazelnut mocha latte for Rose, two strawberry croissants and a cup of black coffee for myself. When I arrive at the hospital, I knock on Rose’s door and step inside when I hear her muffled “come in,” from the other side. I walk in and sit the coffee tray and pastries down on the bedside table, before leaning in to give Rose a kiss. “Morning beautiful.”
“Mmm, good morning you,” she whispers against my lips. A smile teases her perfect pink lips, “Is that a hazelnut mocha latte I smell?”
I laugh and give her another quick kiss before straightening to retrieve her breakfast. “It is, and I have a strawberry croissant, compliments of the ladies at the café.”
“That was so sweet of them.” She takes the pastry I offer her and immediately takes a bite. Her eyes close as she moans at the taste of the fresh confection.
I can’t hold back my chuckle, “Do you two need to be alone?”
“Maybe, but leave the coffee.”
I sit her coffee on the tray table and pull it closer for her as I take a seat next to her bed. I take a drink of my coffee as she finishes the pastry. “Has your doctor been in yet?”
She shakes her head as she swallows a drink of coffee, “Not yet, but the nurse said he should be in before lunch.” She runs her finger around the lid of her coffee cup. “Can I ask you a question?”
I move from the chair to sit on the edge of her bed. “Of course, you can ask me anything, you know that.”
She gives me a quick smile before returning her gaze to the cup in her hand. “How long are you going to be here?”
My hand reaches out tilting her chin up to meet my gaze. “I’m going to be here as long as you need me to be.”
She chews on her bottom lip, her eyes searching mine, “And when I don’t need you anymore?”
My hand moves to cup her cheek, my thumb coaxing
