Page 39 of Always Be an Us

"Someone, you know?"

"No," she says. "Anyway. I need to go. I'll try to get some time off so I can fly back maybe next weekend, even if it's just for a couple of days."

"Aww. That's sweet, but you don't have to just for me."

"Oh, it's not just for you," she answers pointedly. "I really do need to get away from this place, at least for a few days. Or I'm just going to lose my mind."

I chuckle. "Hang in there. I'll talk to you later. Love you."

"Love you too."

My next call is to the hospital where they tell me that Grandpa is still asleep. According to Gracie, the nurse who picked up, he was awake for a few minutes during the night but wasn't lucid and didn't say much.

Guilt pricks me when she tells me that.

I should have been there.

He's probably confused and doesn't know why he's in the hospital. I shouldn't have left him in there alone.

"Don't beat yourself up honey," Gracie tells me when I reveal my guilt. "He really wasn't aware of anything that was going on. And he won't wake up again for the next few hours. Doc has him on some sedatives. How about you come in around two-thirty? That's when visiting hours start."

"Alright, I will. Thank you."

That's three hours away. Which gives me enough time to return Lou's car and help Rick at the bar if he needs it.

As I get myself out of bed and ready for the day, my mind drifts back to last night, the less sucky part of it that is.

Declan.

And mind blowing, world-altering sex.

I can still remember how good it felt when his finger penetrated me. His harsh breath against my neck, his intense gaze on mine…

God.

I never had an orgasm quite like that one. At this point, I'm not sure I've ever had a real orgasm period. If I have, the one last night put all of that to shame.

And you’ll never have another like that either because we agreed that you wouldn’t do it again, right?

The reminder is like a bucket of cold water to the face. I can't say it doesn't sting that Declan doesn't want a repeat of last night, but it’s probably for the best. And at least this way I’m sure that he doesn’t have any ulterior motives for covering Grandpa's hospital bill.

He just did it because he's a nice guy.

Which is the oddest thing, because two days ago, if anyone had told me that, I would have laughed in their face.

I guess this is my lesson: never judge a book by its cover.

During my meeting with Declan last night, we arranged a schedule that included me watching Amelia on certain days of the week, alternating with the babysitter.

I had to find times when it wouldn’t interfere with work at the bar. Today is the first day, and I'm supposed to go over in the evening to spend time with Amelia.

And I'll probably see Declan again and try not to think dirty thoughts.

I sigh and shrug on my satchel.

I check that I have everything, and then I head out.

The problems begin when Lou's car refuses to start. Her Volkswagen sedan is kinda funny in that whenever the gas reads lower than quarter-tank it starts to act up. Sometimes it just makes weird sounds when I drive. Other times, it refuses to start entirely until you put a little gas in it. Not sure if it's a problem with the car, or Lou just rigged it like that so no one uses up all her gas.

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