Page 34 of Day Shift

I caught my reflection in the mirror—a flushed face with an ugly scar—but at least I was up and moving. Weak or not, today I had started my journey to get the hell out of this place.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, right?” Liz said as she wiped down the equipment.

“Absolutely,” I responded.

Liz had made a note in my chart that I could walk between my room and the gym rather than ride. I would have been excited if it weren’t for my constant Tacoma PD chaperone. It was so embarrassing. I swore I’d never get myself into this kind of situation again. Ugh!

I headed back to my room, taking each step slowly, my body reminding me of the workout I’d just completed. Despite my physical weakness, today a fire had been lit inside of me. Even though I was shocked by my body’s limitations, I wouldn’t let this setback define me. Each day was a chance to regain a part of myself, and I was determined to keep fighting, no matter how tough it got. Tomorrow, I’d be back, ready to push even harder.

When I swung open the door to my room, Conan was there, sprawled out on the chair next to the bed like he owned the place, flipping through a magazine. His eyes lit up when he saw me, and a cheeky smile spread across his face.

“Damn, if it isn’t the hottest patient in the hospital,” he teased, his eyes slowly tracing the lines of my body, starting at my face and working their way down to my toes before bouncing back up. “Those leggings should come with a warning label.”

That made me laugh, and as I leaned against the doorframe—still catching my breath—I felt a rush of my old self return. That workout might have wiped me out, but I was ready for his flirtatious wordplay.

“Watch it, big guy, or you might need an eye-raping warning label yourself,” I said, giving him a coy little side-eye.

Leaning forward, he set the magazine down and propped his elbows on his knees. His build made the hospital chair look like it was made for children. “So, when you busting out of this joint? I go to a pretty hardcore CrossFit box. You think you’re ready to train with me once you’re out? Or would that be too much for a pretty little princess like you?”

His teasing struck a nerve.

Walking past him and trying not to let him see how spent my muscles were after that pitiful workout, I grabbed a bottle of water from the bedside table. Conan got to his feet, his sheer size dwarfing me. Standing this close to him for the first time, I realized how small I was.

I smirked, popping the cap off the water. “Oh, please. You wouldn’t be able to keep up. I might not remember my workouts, but I have a feeling I was pretty in shape.”

Conan crossed his arms, pretending to size me up. “Is that a challenge, Angel? Because you have to know I never back down from one of those.”

I rolled my eyes and popped my hip out, jamming my fist onto it. “Oh, so you’re one of those guys who can’t back down from a challenge, huh? How original. Your ego must be a full-time job to maintain.”

“Are you seriously rolling your eyes at me and getting mouthy? I thought your amnesia would come with a better sense of survival, my sassy angel.” His voice had dropped to a low, gravelly timbre, sending a shiver down my spine.

I let out a defiant laugh. “Who knows, maybe that’s my innate personality coming to the surface and erupting out of my mouth? I can’t be held responsible for anything I say these days.”

“That may be true, but the eye roll—that was all you, sweetheart. And if there’s one thing you need to know, it’s that doing that will get you more than you bargain for with me.”

Oooh, I wanted to ask him so badly if that was a promise, but the way he was towering over me, nostrils flaring and pupils blown wide, I didn’t dare. I swallowed hard and chose to change the subject.

“Hmm, I believe I’ve always liked finding a good bargain, but your price seems a little much.” I gave him a half-shrug, taking a step back to put a little distance between us. Heat was rising from the center of my chest to the top of my head.

He squinted and smirked, knowing good and well he’d rattled my cage and drawn out the trouble-seeking side of me that lurked beneath the surface. “Angel, I do have to wonder just who you are.”

“Well, if you figure that out, let me know. Because I don’t know who the hell I am.” I meant for my words to sound teasing, but they came out with a sharp edge. All this banter and innuendo was more than my poor broken mind could handle.

He laughed, and the corners of his eyes crinkled, giving him a roguish appeal. Damn, was this guy hot, and here I was, a sweaty, scarred mess, taking him on as if I was wearing my best pair of stilettos. Time for a U-turn.

I slapped on my charm-school smile and straightened my back. “It was so nice of you to drop by today, but I seriously need a shower. I’m a grimy mess,” I said, hoping he would get the hint that it was time for him to leave.

Conan raised an eyebrow, stepping closer with a grin that spelled trouble. “Need help with your back? I’m pretty handy with a washcloth.”

I laughed, shaking my head at his audacity. “Dream on, Conan. It’ll take more than your charm to get that kind of privilege.”

He mock-gasped, placing a hand over his heart, feigning offense. “Ouch, you wound me. And here I thought I was irresistible. Women are usually dragging me into their shower, not the other way around.”

“Well, I’m not just any woman,” I shot back, turning to gather my shower things.

“You got that right,” he agreed with a nod. “All right, guess I’d better stop joking around and leave you to it then. How about I bring you dinner later? Something better than the dreaded hospital meat loaf?”

“That sounds amazing,” I said. “And if you’re coming back, don’t forget your guitar. The food’s great, but your music? That’s what I could really go for. Oh, and maybe one of your old T-shirts for me to hang out in.”

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