Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 79553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“You go first,” I insist.
“I was going to say I can stay if you want.”
I nod. “I’m just going to sleep. I’m sure you have tons of work to do. Have you been here this entire time?” Kyle works for Berg, Weiss, and Ross—a law firm specializing in creative professionals and businesses. He’s a junior partner and is working hard to make partner. One of the partners has announced he’s retiring soon, and Kyle hopes to fill his position. This means he works more than he’s home, something I can understand since I’ve spent the past thirteen years working my ass off to get to where I am.
“Of course, I’ve been here,” he says. “I had these delivered for Valentine’s Day.” He points to the beautiful red roses sitting in a vase on the bedside table. “Once you’re out of here, we’ll celebrate properly.”
“Thank you.” My eyes move from the roses to the adorable stuffed puppy, and I reach out and grab it. “I’ve always wanted a puppy,” I say, petting his soft fur. If it weren’t for how busy I am, I would already have one. But I can barely take care of myself most days…
“Oh, uh…” He clears his throat. “That’s actually not from me.”
“Oh, who’s it from?”
“Declan.”
At the mention of his name, butterflies try to attack my belly. But before I can think too hard as to why that is, Kyle scrapes a chair across the linoleum floor and has a seat next to me, changing the subject. “So, uh, you really don’t remember anything after New Year’s?”
I shake my head. “Not that I know of.”
He nods and takes my hand in his, bringing it up to his lips. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Kendall. When I heard you were in an accident… Fuck, I was so scared.”
“When did it happen?”
“Sunday morning.”
Normally, we spend the day together. Even with his busy schedule, he makes it a point to spend time with me during the weekend. We go to dinner Saturday night, and then I spend the night. We spend all day Sunday together, and then I go home Sunday night so he can do some work before he returns Monday.
“I was on my way home on Sunday morning? From your place?”
Like earlier, Kyle flinches, and the hairs on my arms rise. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“We, uh…” He clears his throat. “We got into an argument Saturday night. I was supposed to meet you for dinner, but I got caught up at the office. We didn’t spend the night together Saturday night. You don’t remember any of this at all?”
“No… So where was I coming from Sunday morning?”
Kyle shrugs. “I don’t know. I was texting you all night, asking you to talk to me, but you wouldn’t respond. And then your brother called me and said you’d been in an accident.”
Something niggles in the back of my mind, but I can’t quite grasp it. “Are we… okay?”
“Yeah.” He bobs his head. “Of course. I shouldn’t have stayed at the office, and I’ll forever regret it. Had we gone to dinner and then back to my place, you would’ve been in bed with me instead of getting hit by a piece of shit criminal.”
“People fight. You can’t blame yourself for that.” My head pounds, and I wince in pain. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m exhausted.”
“I can stay…”
“No, it’s okay. Go sleep in a comfortable bed.”
“I’ll be back in the morning.”
“What’s today?”
“Wednesday.”
“Then you have to work…”
“They know what’s happened.”
“I’m okay,” I tell him, needing some space but not wanting to say that to him. “Go to work. You can’t do anything for me here, and you heard the doctor. They’ll be running tests tomorrow.”
“If you need anything…”
“I’ll let you know.”
He stands and leans over, kissing the corner of my mouth. “I love you, Kendall, and I’m so sorry this happened to you.” With his kiss, accompanied by his admission, I expect to feel a spark of some sort, for my heart to beat a little faster, for butterflies to take over my belly, to feel something—I’m engaged to this man and marrying him in a few short weeks—but I feel… nothing.
I smile up at him, unable to say anything back, and tell myself what I’m feeling—or the lack thereof—must be linked to my head injury. Once I’m back home, feeling better, things will get back to normal. I’m just feeling off right now.
CHAPTER SEVEN
KENDALL
“You’re sure you’ll be okay here?” Kyle asks for the twentieth time. I was released from the hospital yesterday after several days of being monitored and every test coming back perfect. Aside from not remembering the past six weeks, I’m thankfully okay. The doctor warned me that headaches will be common, but if they become unbearable or lead to dizziness, vomiting, or blacking out, I should go to the hospital immediately. He also referred me to follow up with a neurologist.