Page 16 of Room One Hundred and Nineteen: Watching Her

Once she checked them in, and the two of us stepped out, she exhaled and glanced up at me.

“Thank you for this morning.” I took her hand in mine. “I was kind of a mess and—“ She glanced up at me. “And you were there for me more than you know.”

“It was my privilege.” I winked and squeezed her hand. “We should get going. Josh is working with Tab.”

“Tabitha? My boss?” I nodded as we started to walk toward the elevators that took us to the emergency room. “Why? He hates working with her.”

“Yeah, but if she’s workin’ with him, that means she is too distracted to notice that you’re a smidge late.” She leaned into me, and I kissed the top of her head.

“Thank you again, Miles,” she whispered. Her hand still in mine, she stroked the top of my knuckles. My body was hyperaware of how close she was, her warmth and soft scent.

The elevator stopped before I could figure out if I should kiss her or not. Elena might have let go of my hand, but her touch felt like it had been tattooed onto my skin even after a sixteen-hour day.

6

ELENA

Cramps were killing me. The day felt never-ending, and by the looks of it, it was going to last a little longer.

“Are you sure?” I asked into my phone, not able to wipe the frown off my face.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” my little sister and hero responded. “I got them. I’m almost pulling into the hospital.”

Of course she was. My sister was seriously the best.

When I told her my ex-husband walked out on us, she dropped her life in Los Angeles, literally, moved in with me in Seattle, and did everything she could to help not only with the kids but put me back together. All while sleeping in my basement and never once complaining about the lumpy couch or my kids driving her crazy.

It sounded cheesy to say, but my sister was my best friend.

“I hate having to bug you.”

“You’re not bugging me,” she muttered. “I’m here.” I heard her park her car and a deep voice say something in the background.

One of her men.One because she had three. Her three gorgeous bosses had fallen in love with her, and she had fallenjust as hard for them and was in a relationship with them. Other overprotective older sisters would have had something to say about that.

But not me.

Working in the emergency room, I witnessed daily just how precious life was. How quickly things could change and come to an end. All I wanted for her was to be happy. If anyone deserved it, she did.

“You sure you don’t want me to get you some food or, I don’t know, pain killers or a heating pad?” I leaned against the counter I was standing next to.

“I’m okay, but thank you.”

“If you change your mind—“ I rolled my eyes.

“You know I am not going to make you come back.”

“I know.” Rosie sighed. “You know, it’s okay to let someone take care of you, too, right?”

“I let you take care of me,” I halfheartedly mumbled.

“Right.” It was her turn to mumble, and I knew she was rolling her eyes. “This is coming from the woman who while sick insisted she takes care of two sick kids?”

“Rosie—“

“I know.” She sighed. “You’re their mom. It’s your job. Blah, blah, blah. But you gotta remember you’re not alone. You have people who care about you and can help.”

“I know,” I whispered.

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