Page 109 of Enemies in Paradise

I need to know that Cassie is okay. I don’t need to be in the same room with the doctor, but I want to be there when he comes out to say how serious her injuries may be.

Finally, Grace comes into the TV room. I’m on my feet the minute I see her in the doorway, and I guide her back into the hallway.

“What took so long?” I ask, looking for any signs of worry on her face.

Grace lets out a giggle. “We just started talking and couldn’t stop.”

“Cassie was talking? What did she say?” In the back of my mind, I know Grace did all the talking, but I have to ask her anyway.

Grace’s eyes roll back in thought, and she purses her lips. “Hmm. She didn’t say much, actually. But I told her all about us and your mom and how much fun we used to have together.”

I drop my hands from Grace’s shoulders and sigh. I’d be more frustrated with her, except, whatever she told Cassie, she said because Grace is kind of clueless, not because she’s cruel. She talks about the two of us as if we’re still together to anyone who will listen.

Really, she just talks to anyone who will listen about anything. That’s part of the reason she’s so great with Mom. Mom doesn’t have to do anything but nod and smile.

“Thanks for your help. I’ll head back up there.” I walk toward the back door before I finish my sentence.

“Of course!” Grace calls after me. “You know I’d do anything for you, Bear! I’m always here!”

I wince at her words, but I don’t stop. If I were more practical, I’d go back to the TV room and spend the rest of the day with her and Mom. Then I’d spend the rest of my life with Grace. That would be the easy choice.

But it wouldn’t be the best choice.

I don’t know that Cassie is the best choice either, but I have to try. She may reject me again. She may never see me as anything other than an adversary. Doesn’t matter. I have to tell her what I feel. Almost losing her has made me certain of that.

When I get to my apartment, Doctor Brown is just coming out of the bathroom, holding Cassie by the elbow. I close the front door and relief floods over me with such force that I have to lean against the door to steady myself.

A million thoughts go through my mind and there are a hundred different things I could say.Your color is back. You’re walking by yourself. You’re smiling.

What comes out is, “You’re wearing my jersey.”

Cassie stops and so does Doc Brown.

“I hope that’s okay. It was in the bathroom… I didn’t have anything else.” She grabs the door frame with her free hand, even though she doesn’t look unsteady.

“Of course it’s okay. It’s yours to wear whenever you want.” I rush across the room to take Doc Brown’s place by Cassie’s side.

He passes her off to me. “She’s going to be just fine. No hypothermia. A bit of shock, but that seems to have passed. She’s lucky you got there when you did, or it’d be a different story.”

“Thanks, Doc,” I say as Cassie drops her head against my shoulder. “Couch or bed?” I ask her.

“Bed,” she answers softly.

The doctor unwraps the stethoscope from around his neck and drops it into his leather bag—he’s very retro that way. “I’ll be off. Monitor her for the next twenty-four hours, and give me a ring if you need anything.”

Once the doctor is gone, I lead Cassie into the bedroom, where I pull back the covers and help her climb in. “Are you warm enough? Do you want me to turn up the heat?”

“I’m fine. This feels good.” She closes her eyes and lets out a long breath as I tuck the blankets around her.

I brush loose hair away from her face, wanting so badly to kiss the places the hair touched. “I’ll let you sleep, but I’ll be in the other room if you need anything. And I’ll check on you a lot. Probably too much.”

With her eyes closed, Cassie lets out a soft laugh.

I reluctantly take my hand from her face and make my way slowly to the bedroom door. I’m about to shut it behind me when I hear Cassie whisper, “Bear?”

“Yeah?” I step back inside, ready to do anything for her.

“Will you stay with me? In here?” Cassie’s voice is weak, but her words lift and carry me back to her side.

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