Page 58 of Troubles

“Thank you, for doing this.” I settle into my seat, and pinch the travel mug between my knees pulling the safety belt across me.

“No problem. I love that you’re taking care of my girl.” The drive to the hospital is slow with traffic at this hour. “We should get done at the same time. You don’t need to sit at the bar all night.”

Sliding my sunglasses down, I take a sip of coffee and shake my head.

“Erm, no. She’s my girl.” I wink at Gracyn forgetting that she can’t see past my aviators. “And since she insists on working so much, I’ll at least spend the evening in her presence.”

“Good answer. Why—forget it. Stupid question.”

“Why, what?” The red light gives her a moment to look at me.

“I was going to ask why she’s killing herself working—what? Seventy hours a week between the bistro and the hospital when she could just accept some help? But we both know that she’s not wired that way.” She brushes away her question.

The car behind us honks and Gracyn turns her attention back to the road. She pulls into the car park and drops me by Lis’ car.

“Thank you, Aidan. Thank you for seeing how amazing Lis is. Thank you for loving her the way she deserves.” Her voice is quiet and her knuckles pale as she grips the steering wheel tightly.

I wait for her to face me, but Gracyn doesn’t break her stare out the windshield.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thank you for taking care of her until I found her. She’s lucky to have you for her friend.”

I lean against the trunk of Lis’ car to wait for her, and as I watch Gracyn drive away, I swear I see her swiping at a tear.

The look of confusion on Lisbeth’s face turns to sparkling eyes and smiling face when she sees me leaning against her car.

“What are you doing here?” She hikes her bag higher on her shoulder as she steps into my arms.

“I’m here to take care of you.” Much as it pains me, I keep our kiss chaste, polite for her professional workplace. “You’re changed already for the bistro?” I take Lis’ bag and keys, and hand her the coffee.

“Yeah. I had to wash off the hospital germs before I go serve food and drinks. God, can you imagine?”

I settle her in the passenger seat and the relief washes over her as she takes her first tentative sip of coffee.

“You’re incredible, Aidan. I needed this so bad.”

I smile at the little humming sound she makes while she enjoys the moment to relax, to let the caffeine work its way into her system. To allow herself to be taken care of. She’s getting better at it, but I want to do so much more for her.

“How was it today?”

“Good. It was really good. I learn so much every time I’m there.” She sinks into the seat, head back, eyes closed. She needs this. Her alarm goes off before five o’clock every morning and she’s been running for the past eight hours.

As she relaxes into a quick nap, I reach over to stop the travel mug from sliding out of her hands. I tuck it between my thighs and reach back to take her hand in mine.

I need to check my schedule, between McBride’s and my expanding photography commitments, to make sure I can do this for her as much as possible. Make sure she has what she needs.

She blinks away the fog as I park and open her door. I offer Lis my hand, and she climbs out stretching the rest of the nap away.

“Do you need me to help you set up for the night?” I run my hand down her ponytail, giving it a little tug at the end.

“No, I’ll be fine.” She grabs at her coffee and leans in to brush a kiss across my lips. “Thank you, so much. I’ll have G drop me off when we’re done. But will you bring my bag in for me when you get home?” Home. It is home with her things strewn about.

“I will, but I’ll be back to fetch you home.” I stop her protest with a quick kiss to the lips that deepens into the promise of more. When I know she’s good and breathless, unable to protest, I pull back. “Let me take care of you, Lis.” My lips brushing hers with each word.

It’s hard won, but her whispered “okay” is the only thing I want to hear. With a final kiss, I send her on her way and head home.

I throw her scrubs into the washer, well aware that she likes to wash them separately to keep the hospital cooties away from our other things.

While I wait, I run around the flat straightening things and tidying up. I set a fresh towel on the edge of the tub, place her favorite candle on the windowsill. I straighten the bed and grab her robe to hang by the tub so she can wrap herself in it before she falls exhausted into bed.

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