Page 17 of Scorched

“If you paint my nails while I’m sleeping, I will give all your high heels to charity.”

“No, you won’t. You like my heels.”

His eyes lit, a bit of fire displacing the pain. A shiver went up her spine. That backfired on her.

“Fine. Your purses, then.”

She waved a hand at him. “You’re an invalid for the foreseeable future. It will give me time to hide them elsewhere.”

He laughed, then groaned, clutching his ribs. “Oh, don’t make me laugh. That hurt.”

She giggled. “Sorry. But you’re still stuck with me for the rest of the week.”

“I don’t get a choice, do I?”

“Nope. It’s what’s best for you and for Macy. And I don’t mind helping my friends.”

“So, since when did you and Macy become so buddy-buddy?” He lifted one brow.

She could tell he didn’t like the thought of her conspiring with his sister behind his back, even though they’d already discussed her staying with him instead of Macy. Maggie shrugged. “We’ve gotten closer since I came back to town after law school. Coffee is the lifeblood of any lawyer, so I spend a lot of time at Peppy Brewster.”

Declan hummed. “I guess that makes sense. I’m not sure I like it, though. There doesn’t need to be a fifth in that group of friends. The four of them get into enough trouble.”

She grinned. “They do, and I think that ship has sailed. They invited me to their monthly book club.”

He started to laugh again, but quickly reined it in. “You mean the book club where they never discuss the book?”

She laughed. “That’s the one. I don’t even know what book we’re supposed to read for this month. I just know I’m supposed to show up. We’ll probably end up talking about Tara’s wedding, since it’s that weekend.”

“I hope this pain is a lot better by then. I don’t relish spending hours in a tux with my chest on fire.”

She patted his arm. “I think you’ll be almost good as new by then. But only if you rest like you’re supposed to.”

He rolled his eyes. “Why do I get the feeling you’re going to be more of a pain in my ass than Macy?”

Maggie tipped her head, glancing up. “Probably because I will. And I’m going to start now. Get some sleep.” She stood and picked up her coat. “I’m going to go home and pack some things to take to your house. I’ll be back in the morning.” She shook a finger at him. “Do what the nurses tell you.”

“Yes, dear.” A cocky smile split his tired face.

She grinned. “Just be good.”

“Yeah, yeah. Scram, so I can rest.” His head fell back against the pillow and he closed his eyes.

“I’ll see you in the morning. If you think of anything you need before discharge, let me know and I’ll bring it when I come.” She put on her coat as she talked, walking toward the door.

“Okay. Maggie?”

She paused with her hand on the knob and looked back in question.

He cleared his throat, those indigo eyes latched onto hers. “Thanks. For everything.”

A soft smile spread over her lips. “You’re welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Good night.”

“Night.” With a wave, she opened the door and left his room. Warmth filled her chest at their exchange. She didn’t quite know what to make of this shift in the dynamic of their relationship. She wasn’t even sure what to call it. A deeper friendship, maybe. But that didn’t explain the way he looked at her when she mentioned her shoes.

Tired and confused, she pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind. She had a million other things she needed to concentrate on to be ready to bring Declan home tomorrow. Pushing through the lobby doors, her heels making a steady clack on the pavement, she walked to her car so she could do just that.

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