Not today. I called in.
Youcalled in? Suzanne slapped a hand to her mouth in disbelief. You?
Nicole rolled her eyes. Its not that big a deal.
To you it is. You, the workaholic, took a day off to care for Ty. Thats huge.
He did fall through my ceiling.
You took a day off. Suzanne marveled at that for a moment. Wait until Taylor hears youre falling for him. Shes going to be the last one of us holding on to that vow of singlehood.
Oh no. Nicole laughed. Fall for Ty? Ha! I dont know what you think is going on here, but you can just wash it right out of your hair. Im staying single forever, just like Taylor.
Uh-huh.
I am. She meant it. Ty would finish his job here and sooner or later hed be gone. Long gone. He wouldnt so much as look back, as looking back wasnt in his genes.
She wouldnt look back either, shed-
Shed miss him. Damn it. Shed really miss him.
But shed carved out a good life for herself. She had her career, a family that was only slightly dysfunctional, and friends, even if they were nosy as hell. She had all she needed.
I used to be in denial, too, Suzanne said with a knowing smile.
Its not denial.
Right. Hey, Ill come back later for the tray and any details you want to share.
There wont be details.
But Suzanne had already walked away. Damn it, Nicole muttered when Suzannes laughter floated back up the stairs. Shrugging it off, she went back to her shows.
And wondered if Ty was dreaming of her.
TY CAME AWAKE in slow degrees. When he was fully conscious, he carefully opened his eyes.
The sun rudely pierced into the room, stabbing him with the brightness until he closed his eyes again. He took mental stock and decided his entire body felt as if hed been thrown under a steamroller.
Except for his head. His head felt as if hed put it into a giant vise and cinched it down.
With no little amount of struggle, he managed to get to a sitting position. From there he eyed the bathroom door, only a few feet away.
It might as well have been a hundred miles. Determined, he staggered up, and for his efforts, nearly passed out. Gripping the back of a chair, he took a handful of deep, careful breaths. Daggers shot upward from his ankle. His ribs screamed. He had no doubt his head was going to fall right off. But he made it to the bathroom, shut the door and leaned back against it.
It might as well have been a hundred miles. Determined, he staggered up, and for his efforts, nearly passed out. Gripping the back of a chair, he took a handful of deep, careful breaths. Daggers shot upward from his ankle. His ribs screamed. He had no doubt his head was going to fall right off. But he made it to the bathroom, shut the door and leaned back against it.
Ty! From the other side of the door came Nicoles worried voice. What are you doing!
Considering getting sick.
Are you okay? Are you hurting? Do you need any help?
No, yes and no.
Ty-
When he was done, he opened the door, about two seconds away from passing out.
Nicole was right there, wrapping herself around him, taking his weight. Of all the fool things to do, getting up by yourself, trying to walk, moving around as if you didnt drop yourself on your head just yesterday
Not back to bed, he said when she turned him that way. Not unless youre coming, too.
Her arms were around his bare middle, carefully avoiding his hurt ribs. He liked the feel of her hands on him. Too much. She took him to the living room where he could see the blanket strewn over the futon. An episode of I Dream Of Jeanie was on TV. Next to the futon was a half-eaten bowl of cereal.
Are those Frosted Flakes? His mouth started to water. And I love that show.
Its a Jeanie marathon. This is the one where she gets stuck in her bottle. She looked at the TV. I think Id like to be able to toss my ponytail and have my every wish come true. Youve just missed I Love Lucy. She was working on a candy assembly line. Honest to God, Ive never laughed so hardwhat? she asked self-consciously as he stared at her.
It was just that her eyes were laughing. Her cheeks were flushed. And her hands were still on him. Irresistible combo. He found his insides stirring, and not just the part of him that usually stirred while staring at a beautiful woman, but something in his chest. She lookedhappy. It wasnt a look hed seen on her before, making him realize he hadnt often seen her out side of work mode.
He liked this side of her, he liked it a lot. You havent seen these shows a hundred times?
Are you kidding? She laughed, a sweet, simple sound. We werent allowed to watch anything but public television growing up. I never even had a TV until a couple of years ago, but I rarely turn it on. I cant believe what Ive been missing. And The Brady Bunch! What a crack-up- She narrowed her eyes when he grinned. Stop that.
Youre pretty damn adorable, Dr. Dweeb.
Her mouth opened, then shut. I never know how to take you, she finally said.
Take me any way you want, darlin, just take me.
She stepped back, which left him holding up his own body. He braced his legs, shooting an arrow of pain from his ankle directly to his ribs. Clutching them made his vision waver again and he gritted his teeth.
You fool, she said softly, reaching for him again, easing him down. Sit. Lucky for you Suzanne took pity and brought you a tray of food.
You mean you arent going to slave over a hot stove for me?
I dont slave over a hot stove for anyone.
Hence the Frosted Flakes.
Hence the Frosted Flakes, she agreed. Pouring milk into a bowl, now that I can do. Shrugging, she set a heavenly smelling tray on his lap. I think I missed the girlie gene. I dont cook, I dont sew, and She lifted a napkin Suzanne had folded into a flower. I sure as hell dont fold napkins into shapes.
It took an effort to smile when his head was pounding, but she looked so unexpectedly vulnerable, he tried. I like you anyway.
She didnt smile back, but she didnt slug him either. You do?
Yeah, I do. She hadnt turned out to be anything as hed imagined. She wasnt aloof or spoiled, or insensitive, but was warm and giving and incredibly compassionate. In fact, he had to resist the urge to pull her close and bury his face in her hair. Not only would it hurt like hell to do so, but the urge was wrong. He had no business feeling this way, none at all. I think youre a pretty incredible woman, Nicole. And sexy as hell to boot.
She let out a deprecatory smile. Ive never been accused of being sexy before.
Then youre not listening, because Ive been thinking youre the sexiest woman I know from the first time I set eyes on you.
Well. Brushing her hands on her jeans, she backed away, looking around her as if searching for someway to keep her hands busy. Ive got to
When she just turned in a slow circle, at a complete loss, he wanted to laugh. Work? he finished for her.
No. No work today. I, uh She avoided his gaze, lifted the lids off the food Suzanne had left him. Here. You need food before you get more pain meds.
Obediently he picked up a fork, groaning at an ache in his shoulder. Definitely he was getting too old to be falling through ceilings. Why no work today? He saw the truth in her eyes and gaped at her. You called in? For me?
Well, what were you going to do? Make your own breakfast?
You didnt make breakfast, he pointed out, moaning again, this time at the taste of Suzannes home-fried potatoes melting in his mouth.
You complaining?
Nope, not at all. He took another bite, studied her. You took a day off for me. I think youre crazy about me.
Shut up and eat.
Yeah. Okay. He shoveled in more food. Thanks, he said into her inscrutable gaze. For taking care of me.
Yeah, well, dont get excited. I would have done the same for a stray puppy.
Oh, yeah. She was crazy about him.
NICOLE HAD never known the guilty pleasure of a day off. Shed heard her co-workers talk about how they occasionally stayed home simply to brain-rest, doing nothing more than eating junk food and watching soap operas all day long, and shed always felt a sort of superior smugness about not feeling the need to do the same.
Soap operas. Please.
But-and she couldnt quite believe it-they were wonderful. She sat on the floor, cross-legged, in a ratty old pair of sweats and a comfy tank top, cradling a bowl of popcorn in one hand and the remote in the other. On the futon above her, crashed out cold, slept Ty.
It was odd, the feeling of contentment. Odd and terrifying.
When someone-two nosy someones-knocked at her door, she rolled her eyes. You know, this is getting insulting, she whispered as she opened the door and faced Suzanne and Taylor. I can take care of him.
Suzanne passed her a tray, probably loaded with lunch, because heaven forbid poor baby Ty starve to death with Nicoles inability to so much as toast bread. Frosted Flakes three times a day is not nutritious.
Taylor grinned. Anddont take this wrongbut were not quite sure you know how to take care of a man.
Hes not a man, hes my patient.
I think hed say differently. Taylor held out a laptop computer to her. Tell him I locked up his car, but this was in it and I thought maybe hed want it.
Hes not going to work, I wont let him. Nicole knelt to put the tray of food on the floor beside the door before rising to take the computer.
Really. Taylor lifted that superior blond brow and gave her a knowing, far-too-self-righteous smile. Know what I think?
Really. Taylor lifted that superior blond brow and gave her a knowing, far-too-self-righteous smile. Know what I think?
If I say yes, will you go away? Nicole asked.
I think Suzannes right, Taylor said. I think Im in danger of being the last one holding out for permanent singlehood.
Suzanne nodded while Nicole sputtered. She kept her voice low with great effort. Just because I dont think he should work doesnt mean-
Honey. Suzanne put her hand on Nicoles arm and sent her a sweet smile. Its okay youre after him.
Im not after him, Nicole said through her teeth. She jabbed a finger toward Taylor. And Im still firmly single.
Okay, but just remember, you can stay single and still have wild monkey sex-
Nicole slapped a hand over Taylors mouth, glancing over her shoulder to make sure Ty was still asleep. Okay, you guys have to go now.