Page 20 of Scorched

“I have no idea, and I don’t care. They’re sending me home, so it’s not like I wouldn’t just eat it in a couple hours, anyway.” He flipped open the lid and speared a forkful of the roll, making sure to get lots of icing. “We’ll just hide it fast if the nurse comes in.” He stuffed the bite in his mouth, his eyes rolling up as the flavors exploded over his tongue.

Maggie giggled. “It’s a cinnamon roll, Declan. Not caviar.”

He made a face at her and swallowed. “Have you ever had caviar? It’s disgusting. Like salty, gelatinous ground beef.”

Her nose wrinkled. “That sounds… lovely. When did you have caviar?”

“In the Marines. I was in France on leave and trying to impress some French girl.”

“Did it work?”

“No. I couldn’t stand the texture and spit it out in my napkin. She muttered something in French I think probably meant I was a disgusting pig, then got up and left.”

Maggie laughed. “What did you do then?”

“Found a pizza place, bought some beer, and went back to my hotel.”

“That sounds much better than caviar.”

“Oh, it was. But not as good as this.” He continued to eat while they talked, demolishing the roll in just a few bites, and now scraped the container for the last bits of icing. “I don’t suppose you have another coffee hiding in that purse, do you?”

She shook her head. “No. I figured the food would be safe—even if it’s against the rules—but I wasn’t sure about the caffeine.” She picked up her cup and held it out to him. “I doubt a few sips will hurt, though.”

He accepted the cup and took a drink, quickly scrunching his nose at the sweet flavor. “I should have asked what was in it first. Why do you girls like the sweet stuff so much?” He handed the cup back to her.

“You just ate an entire cinnamon roll, but you’re complaining about some flavored syrup in coffee?”

“Well, yeah. It’s supposed to be black.”

“Only when there are no other options.”

He grinned.

The door opened, drawing their attention. The doctor walked in with his entourage again. “Good morning, Mr. Briggs. And Ms. Archer.”

“Good morning,” Maggie said.

The doctor walked around to stand next to the bed. “So, how’s your pain level?”

“Better.”

“Good. Do you feel like it’s under control?”

Declan nodded.

Dr. Calvin leaned over to check his incision and asked a few questions before declaring him well enough to go home. “I’ll get your paperwork in as soon as I finish rounds. We’ll have you out of here by lunch. Take it easy for the next few days. I am hereby ordering you to be lazy. Let this pretty lady take care of you.”

Declan glanced at Maggie, who waggled her eyebrows at him and grinned. He smiled back, shaking his head.

“I’ll make sure he’s good,” Maggie said.

“I have faith you will, Ms. Archer.” Calvin said before turning his attention back to Declan. “Rest really is the best thing for you. You do that and your breathing exercises and you’ll be on the fast track to being one hundred percent.”

He knew the doctor was right, but it didn’t mean he liked the idea of resting on his laurels for days on end. He would do his best, though. Being injured was for the birds. “I will.”

“All right. I’ll see you in my office in a week. We’ll talk about you returning to work then.”

“Okay. Thank you, doctor.”

“Not a problem.” Calvin and his team left with a wave, leaving Declan and Maggie alone again.

He glanced down at the cinnamon roll container he still held. “I guess it wasn’t against the rules.”

She laughed. “I guess not.”

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