Page 2 of Eternally Yours

He went back to loading up the racks with bagels. “And your dad, how’s he doing? Haven’t seen him around here in quite a bit.”

I sighed, remembering how much my father had been a part of this community. Everyone loved him, and his absence was felt by lots of people. “He’s hanging in there. The dialysis really kicks his butt, so he’s home most of the time. I visit him every day. Try to keep his spirits up, you know.”

“Tell him I say hi, would ya? Maybe I’ll pay him a visit soon. Play a round of cards or something.”

My heart warmed. Tony and my dad had known each other for decades, and I knew my dad missed not being able to stop by the shop daily. “He’ll love that. I’ll tell him later tonight when I stop over.”

Placing his arms back on the counter, he met my eyes and said, “You’re a good kid, Loren.”

His comment pulled a string in my chest. My dad was everything to me, and I devoted every second I could to making sure he was as comfortable as possible, especially with the dialysis. “Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say.”

“It’s the truth. Now, what can I get for ya this morning?” he asked.

“The usual.”

He turned toward the back of the room and shouted to an unseen person, “Yo, Donnie! Get your ass out here. The young nurse here wants a... ah…”

“Medium mocha latte,” I offered.

“A medium mocha latte for the young lady, Donnie! You hear?”

“Got it, boss!”

Focusing his gaze back on me, he asked, “Anything else, sweetheart?”

I hated stress eating, but to be mood-ready to deal with Cruella once I got home, I needed sugar endorphins. I typically tried to avoid her at all costs. Since her daddy paid all her bills, she had no reason or desire to have a job. My working nights meant we’d both be home in the morning, and since she had no sense of decency, she wouldn’t even try to be quiet while I slept.

I wasn’t looking forward to seeing her.

And that piece of dough had my name slathered all over it.

I nodded toward the chocolate glazed doughnut. “I’ll take that one. How much do I owe you?”

Donnie emerged from the back room with my coffee and placed it on the counter as Tony bagged my goodie and handed it to me. “On the house. Go be a hero. And get some rest, you look like you need it.”

“Thanks, Tone. You’re the best. See ya later,” I said, winking in appreciation as I used my hip to push open the door. I took a deep breath of the early dawn air as I headed back to the hospital, my mouth watering at the thought of sinking my teeth into the chocolatey goodness of my doughnut.

Taking a sip of my steaming hot coffee, I was about to step off the curb to cross the street when the rattling sound of a soda-can being kicked startled me, almost shooting my heart out of my chest. My gaze snapped to the darkened alley to the side of the coffeehouse, my body freezing in place when I noticed a man’s silhouette moving in the shadows.

A drunk person, perhaps? Bars were open into the early morning hours, so it wasn’t an uncommon scene in this part of New York City for people to be stumbling around at this hour. But as the man staggered from the darkness into the dim glow of the streetlamp outside the coffee shop, my breath seized. A massive chunk of flesh was missing from his shoulder. Covered in blood, he tumbled to the ground. Panic surged in my gut, and no longer caring about my coffee or sugary treat, I tossed them aside and rushed over.

Dropping to my knees beside him, I gave him a quick glance over, assessing the damage. He lay on his stomach, the back of his shirt torn. A part of his ear was missing, too, and what looked like teeth marks marred his skin.

I'd never seen anyone with injuries like these. Had he been attacked by an animal? It was the only explanation that made sense. No human or weapon could have done something like that. Hell, I couldn't even think of a creature that could, besides a bear. Or maybe a lion. But unless this guy stumbled into the city zoo and tried wrestling predators, that was unlikely.

Christ. He was losing so much blood I needed to get him to the hospital.

“Sir, can you hear me?” I asked, trying to turn him over. He was so heavy he may as well have been a marble statue. I scanned the street for help, anyone who could call 911, but when I tried to wave over a couple of pedestrians, they only scurried away.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

I checked my scrubs pockets for my phone, but my heart plummeted into my stomach when it wasn’t there. I must’ve left it at the nurses’ station. “Dammit,” I grunted as I pushed on him with all my might, my muscles straining as I managed to turn him over. My mind came to a full stop when I paused, my gaze roaming over his face.

The man was traffic-stopping gorgeous.

He was also seriously injured and drenched in blood. Not to mention unconscious.

Get it together, Loren. This man needs your help.

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