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My head tilted to the side, my eyes narrowing and brows coming together as I digested the doctor’s words.
Tristin finally arrived, smiling widely as he caught sight of me. “Look at you! Hospital chic is an absolute look for you, if I say so myself.”
“Must you?”
“If I don’t, who will?”
“Hopefully, no one.”
What a foolish young man, breaking down a door after being told that if he sustained any more injuries his mobility would drastically decrease.
The words reverberated in my mind, causing anger to settle heavily in my stomach. “Can we stop somewhere before you take me home?”
“Of course! But where?” Tristin helped me up and grabbed the small overnight bag.
“I’ll give you directions. But,” I paused to turn to look over at him, a stern look in my eyes, “you’re staying in the car.”
“I’m so glad I didn’t stay in the car,” Tristin whispered to Jason as I pushed past him, the hostess, and the waiters that were trying to keep me out of the kitchen as I searched for Eli.
“Is he always like this?” Jason whispered back.
“This is honestly a three out of ten on his scale of ‘ripping a new asshole’ which means…”
“Which means what?” I barked as I made my way back to the pair. I turned to Jason. “Where is he?” I demanded.
He pointed a shaking finger towards the back. “His office is the last door on the left.”
“Thanks.” I favored him with a genuine smile, but glared over at Tristin, a low rumble sounding in my chest.
Tristin waved his hands dismissively as he rolled his eyes. “Please. Go do that with someone who is actually either afraid of or aroused by your attempted display of dominance.”
I snarled and huffed an exasperated breath before turning on my heels to stomp down the hallway. When I reached the last door on the left, I knocked once before throwing it open. Eli sat at his desk, his hands folded on top as if he’d been waiting. Not losing any of my righteous indignation, I kicked the door closed and stared at Eli before vehemently scolding him. “You’re an insufferable idiot.”
He shrugged, replying, “I’ve heard that all of my life. But why?”
“Your hand.”
“Is fine.”
“But the doctor said—”
“I know, Laney,” Eli sighed sadly. “I know.”
“Then why?”
“Because I—”
I rushed forward, clapping my hand over his mouth. “Your hospital confession isn’t necessary in this setting. You don’t. You think you do, but you can’t.” He didn’t attempt to pull my hand away. He instead did something much worse. He looked at me with a love so deep, so sincere and pure that it caused tears to well up in my eyes. “You don’t. Okay? Just—you don’t. I can’t. Because what happens when you leave?” Fear was overpowering and all-consuming, absconding with the volume of my voice. “What happens when I’m not enough?”
Eli waited a few seconds before reaching out to remove my hand. “You‘ll always be enough for me. But, what if I’m too much for you?”
I squinted down at him. “What do you mean?”
He scratched at the back of his head, exhaling. “There’s a lot I need to tell you, but you need to get home and rest. I assume Tristin brought you here and seeing as how he and Jonah are dating, I assume he knows Jonah comes here for lunch daily and”—Eli checked his watch—“should be here soon?” I nodded. “Then may I take you home? If you’re up to it, we can talk once you’re all settled in and comfortable.”
I inhaled deeply, my mouth poised to bite out an acidic remark, but my heart twinged in my chest, reminding me how much I missed him. If having him play taxi meant a few more seconds together then so be it. “Fine.”
Eli’s smile was bright, yet his eyes were wary as he circled around the desk to guide me out of the office by the small of my back.
