“He’s doing okay. This afternoon, he even sat up and ate something. So, that was good,” Wade says, trying to let optimism light his features. But there’s a hint of sadness hidden in his eyes.
“That’s good. Did he recognize you today?” I ask.
“No, not really. He still thinks I’m my dad,” Wade says, shrugging.
“Really? I’m sorry, Wade. That must be hard. Isn’t that a little weird for you?”
“It was at first, but I’m kinda used to it now,” he says, keeping his expression neutral.
My lips press into a thin line as I try to imagine taking care of someone who didn’t know who I was.
“That’s gotta be a little hard, though, right? I mean, with your dad being—”
Wade shrugs, dropping his hands to his lap. “I just think of it as a job and ignore the weird emotional stuff. Does that seem cold?” A quizzical expression blossoms across his features.
“I don’t know. I guess not. Then again, it’s still hard to think of you as the personal care assistant…type?”
“There’s a PCA type?”
“Definitely,” I say sternly.
“All right, you have me curious. What is a PCA type?” His eyes narrow and he tilts his head slightly.
“Big burly dude with a nurse’s uniform?” I offer.
“Nice,” he snorts. “Do I have to have a big wart on my chin and hair poking out, too?”
A laugh bursts from my lips and I can’t help but shake my head. “So, I don’t think I ever asked you… Where did you work before taking on your grandpa, then? Hot Topic? Forever 21? Oooh, I know—it was one of those dorky board game shops that sell Dungeons and Dragons stuff and hoards of dice?” I say, flicking my tongue to the roof of my mouth.
He bends in close to the screen, then, blinking slowly, he says, “The bookstore, sweet thing.”
My eyes raise to the ceiling as I nod. “Oh, right. Bookstore. I forget about those sometimes. Mistwood Point never had a good one. They all went the way of the dinosaur when ebooks came about.”
“Hey now, Mistwood has the Alcove. Though, in saying that, I think they sell more used books and incense than anything hitting the market in the past ten years.”
I nod with mock seriousness. “And don’t forget, they do aura readings every third Saturday.”
He chuckles. “That, too.”
Crossing my legs under the covers, I sit up a bit straighter. “Well, when you get a few free moments tomorrow, sneak me a call. Okay? I’m sure I’ll be dying for some company after a full day alone in this enormous house with my dad.”
“I will be both ready and willing. You can count on it,” he says, his signature wink making its first appearance for the night.
My cheeks flush. He’s so dang sexy without even trying.
“What time do you start your day tomorrow?” I ask, clearing my throat.
“Seven-thirty. Grandpa needs to take his meds and I’ll have to check his catheter.”
“Fun times,” I say, flicking my eyes to the clock on the wall. “Wade, it’s almost midnight. You better get your ass to bed.”
“Psh. It’s no big. As long as I get a few hours of sleep, I’ll be fine,” Wade says with a smirk.
I shake my head. “Huh-uh. Absolutely not. I won’t be the reason you slept through your alarm and your grandpa missed his catheter change. Get to bed. We can talk more tomorrow.”
“Really, it’s no big deal. I don’t mind,” he protests. “How about—how about you just go about your business and I’ll go lie down. We can just, I dunno, fall asleep together?”
“That might be the sweetest, weirdest thing you’ve said to me,” I say, running my fingertips over my forehead.
“Is that a yes?” he asks, his face brightening.
“Fine, but you better go to sleep. No trying to chitchat your way outta this. Otherwise, I’m gonna tough love you by hanging up,” I say, narrowing my eyes and pointing a finger at the screen.
“Ugh, fine,” he says. It’s almost a pout, but not really. Getting up from his chair, he lifts his laptop and brings it to the nightstand beside his bed. For a moment, he’s out of view as I hear some clothing drop to the floor.
A shiver skitters through me as my mind goes into overactive-imagination mode. Placing both hands over my mouth, I tap the side of my cheek with my fingertips.
The fabric on his bed pulls back and he jumps into bed like the Flash. I didn’t catch anything definitive, but I’m pretty sure he was naked.
Oh my god.
He props himself up onto his right arm and leans into the camera. “Night, Dru. I’ll be thinking about you. If I don’t get to see you in the morning, I hope you have a great day tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Angel. You, too. Hope your grandpa has a good day tomorrow,” I say, blowing him a kiss. “Hope he remembers it’s you. Now, get some sleep.”
He blows a kiss back, then leans deep into the pillow. Rolling onto his side, he faces the camera, grinning like a fool.
I do the same, lying down so I can face the camera. I don’t know how I happened to get so lucky, but I really am.
I sigh contently.
“You are so beautiful, you know that?” Wade whispers.
“Shhhh…no talking,” I say, narrowing my eyes. Despite myself, my heart flutters. “But thank you.”
Silence floods the space for a moment.
“One last thing, I promise,” he says, shifting up onto his elbow. “I’m looking forward to going to the Witching Stick orientation with you next week. It should be a lot of fun.”
“I’m looking forward to it, too. And stop trying to sneak your way out of sleeping. I’m on to you, mister.”
Somewhere in the darkness beyond the foot of my bed, a weird scratching noise pulls me from the screen. I peer to the other side of the room with wide eyes.
“Everything okay?” Wade asks, worry painting his tone.
“I—there was just a weird scratching noise,” I mutter, still trying to look for
