Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
“Uh-oh.”
“Yeah. I was the one who got the surprise. When I went to the desk on the surgical floor, another resident told me Noah had left a little while ago. I figured someone must’ve come in and he didn’t want to text me so late since I’d been having so much trouble sleeping. On my way back to my car, I noticed a Volvo parked in the hospital parking lot that looked like Noah’s. When I got closer, I realized he was in it. He was sitting in the driver’s seat with his head back and eyes closed. I thought he was so exhausted that he’d fallen asleep. It wasn’t until I got to the door that I saw a head bobbing up and down.”
“Jesus. I’m sorry.”
“The worst part was that I stood there frozen and the asshole finished. I’m pissed at myself to this day that I didn’t at least ruin the moment for him.”
Fox smiled. “It sounds like you had a rough couple of months.”
“I never thought I’d be someone who needed help.”
“I think most people could use it at some point in their life and don’t have the courage to ask for it. You’re strong.”
I smiled sadly. “Thank you for saying that.”
“Are you better now? Or should I add another lock on my door because you become dangerous when unhinged?”
I wrinkled up my napkin and threw it at him. “You’re such a jerk.”
He smiled. “Seriously though, are you good?”
“I think so. I talk to a therapist over Zoom every other week. I suffered a trauma that left me with depression, but I don’t have long-term clinical depression. I had never experienced anything like that, so I didn’t know how to handle it.”
“All kidding aside, I’m right next door, if you ever want to talk.”
“Wow. Thank you. I got the impression you weren’t much of a talker.”
“I’m not. I might not listen or respond. But you can talk.”
I smiled. “That sounds more like the neighbor I’ve come to know and dislike.”
Fox smiled back and looked down at my foot. “How’s the ankle feeling?”
“Much better.”
“We should take the ice off for a little while.” He leaned forward and untied the towel. His fingers brushed against my leg, and it felt like my skin caught fire. I jumped, surprised at the feeling. Fox pulled his hands away, holding them up. “Sorry. Did I hurt you?”
“No. I’m, uhh…just ticklish. That’s all.”
I got the feeling Fox might’ve seen through my excuse. But if he did, at least he didn’t call me out. “How does it feel now?” he asked.
I rolled my ankle around. “Better. It’s definitely only a sprain.”
“You got lucky. Could’ve cracked it the way that board gave out.” Fox glanced around the deck. “This is probably about four-hundred square feet. I’ll get you some estimates to replace it when I’m over at the lumberyard this week.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Not a big deal. I’ll be over there anyway.”
“Alright. Well, thank you.” A mosquito landed on my arm. I smacked it off, but a second one had already landed on my leg. “Crap!” I whacked at it.
“Gets buggy out here after the sun sets. Lasts about an hour and then it clears up. Why don’t I help you inside?”
I sat up and shifted my feet to the ground. “I can do it.”
Fox stood, and the board under his feet made a creaking sound. “Shit. This thing’s dangerous.”
He stepped forward and leaned. I thought he was going to help me up like he did before. But instead, he scooped me into his arms.
I yelped. “This is worse! Now you’re putting both our weight on the wood at once. We’re definitely going to fall through.”
He walked toward the house. “Better me than you.”
“How so? Why is it better you get injured than me?”
“’Cause I can live with a broken ankle. Wouldn’t be able to live with letting a lady break hers if I could stop it.”
I’d never been the type to play damsel in distress, but I had to admit, it was kinda nice being carried by Paul Bunyan. I looked down as he fiddled with the sliding glass door to open it. “It’s pretty high up here. You get a different perspective from this view. I’m always looking up at people.”
“If you say so…”
Fox set me down on a chair in the kitchen. As soon as my ass hit the wood, my phone started buzzing. I frowned at the name flashing. Noah. My eyes jumped to Fox’s face. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the only one who’d read the name.
“My ex. He’s upset I’m down here.” I pushed Ignore and the phone quieted.
Fox’s eyes narrowed. “Why the hell does he care where you are?”
“He wants me to forgive him. Give him another chance.”
“Is that what you want?”
“No, definitely not. I’m not happy with the way things ended, but I’ve had a lot of time to think about the relationship we had. I realized I was settling into a life I thought I was supposed to have and not really the one I wanted, if that makes any sense.”