Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Wrapping my arms around my suddenly chilled body, I replied, “Sounds good. Thank you, Tim.”
He bent down and kissed me on the cheek. “I’ll call if I hear something, and you do the same.”
“I will. Be safe driving and tell Laura hi for me.”
Tim winked at me, then started for the nurses’ station. I closed my eyes and rotated my neck in a circle. Sleeping on that small sofa hadn’t exactly been comfortable.
“You’re exhausted” Wes whispered, reaching his hand out to brush a loose strand of hair away from my face. “How about I order some takeout and pick it up on the way to my place?”
My stomach took that moment to growl. “That sounds really good, thank you.”
Before I knew it, we were out of the hospital and in Wes’s car. I fought to keep my eyes open and quickly lost the battle. I somewhat heard him ordering food and talking to someone. The smell of something heavenly filled the car, and I only managed to open my eyes when I felt Wes park his car.
“What did you end up getting? It smells so good.”
“Italian from the place next to my condo. They’ve got great food.”
Wes got out of the car, three bags in his hand, as he opened the passenger side door for me. I got out and stretched. My entire body ached from being on that hospital sofa for nearly two days. Tim told me Wes had slept a few times on the floor, and I knew he had to be just as tired as I was.
“I feel like someone has used me for a punching bag.”
Wes laughed as we started for the elevators. “I’m sure you do. You’ve probably been wound up so tight with anxiety and fear, on top of an uncomfortable sofa.”
“Yeah,” I said as he pushed the button to go up.
“I’m just glad your mother and father are going to be okay.”
Dropping back against the elevator wall, I sighed. “So am I. I was so scared there for a little while. Especially when no one was coming out to tell us anything.”
“That is the worst feeling. The not knowing. I’m so glad your brother could get there, as well as your friends.”
“So am I, Wes, so am I.”
I soon found myself in Wes’s condo, standing in the foyer suddenly feeling so unsure about my decision to come here. I could have gone to Autumn’s place.
Wes set the to-go bags on the counter and glanced my way.
“Why don’t you go ahead and put your stuff in my room. I’m going to plate this food for us and heat up the bread.”
“O-okay, right. Thank you.” I started for his bedroom, then stopped and looked his way. “You’re sure you don’t mind me being here?”
He smiled, and the way it reached his eyes caused something in my chest to squeeze.
“I don’t mind at all, Clare. I’ll sleep out here tonight instead of the guest room in case you need anything, and you can have my bed. It’s more comfortable than the guest bedroom bed.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary at all, Wes. I can sleep in the other room.”
He glanced up at me again as he started to unpack all the food he bought. “I want you to take my bed, Clare. Why don’t you take a shower and get comfortable.”
My eyes went wide. “I don’t have anything to sleep in.”
Wes left the food and headed into his room with me following closely behind him.
He pulled open a drawer and moved some things around, then pulled out a shirt. Boston Red Sox, how appropriate. Opening another drawer, he pulled out a pair of sweatpants. Turning to face me, he held them out for me.
“The pants might be a bit big, but if you tie them tight enough, they should be okay.”
Feeling tears start to well up in my eyes at his kindness, I forced myself to smile and push the emotions down.
“Thank you,” I said as I took the clothing from him. “I don’t think I could have been alone tonight. I hope you didn’t have any plans or anything. I’ve already ruined the last couple days for you.”
“Nonsense,” he replied. “Go take a hot shower, I’ll keep the food warm, so you don’t have to rush.”
The idea of standing under a hot shower sounded like heaven.
“Autumn said she put some toiletries in the bag for you.”
I nodded and made a mental note to text Autumn. When she dropped the bag off at the hospital, I had been sleeping and didn’t have a chance to thank her.
“There are clean towels in the cabinet in the bathroom. You remember where they’re at.”
“Yep, I do,” I said as the memory of being here when Wes was sick hit me. Seeing him naked and so hard. I had wanted to reach out and touch him so badly.