Page 24 of Insta-Love

“Oh.” Her face falls as she flicks her gaze to the nurse.

It’s not as though I’ve sheltered Lily her whole life, it’s more that we’ve never had reason to be apart for long. With Mum and Dad both working, she’s had a handful of sleepovers with them, but for the vast majority it’s always been her and me, hanging out together.

“We’re all done here,” the nurse says with a smile. “You’ll need to stay put for a little while longer so it can begin to set, and then we’ll get you nice and comfy upstairs.”

“Thank you.” I offer a genuine smile as she walks away to remove her gloves and clean up.

“I’ve got an idea,” Bowen says from his spot beside Lily, legs spread in that way only men can get away with. “If you want to stay here, I can go get her things and bring them back? Your parents are home, right?”

“They are.” I frown at him. “Are you sure though? You’ve already done more than enough, honestly.”

“Can I have my Alice-Miranda book?” Lily asks, clearly decided that Bowen collecting her things is a good idea.

“Sure.” He gives her a smile, and damn it all, if my heart doesn’t melt a little at that.

I want a smile like that—genuine, and caring.

“I’ll make you a list of things to grab,” I say, diving into my bag for on old receipt or something I can scrawl on.

“Here.” He holds his phone out for me. “Make it in my notes app.”

My gaze holds his as I accept the device from him. “Thanks.” Whatever that was back in the waiting room, he appears to have got over his preconception of me.

I mean would he still be this helpful if he believed I was in this for whatever money he apparently has?

I perch my arse on the end of Lily’s bed, careful not to bump her, and make a list of items in his app. I add the specifics in brackets, like which pyjama set she prefers, so that Mum will know what to pack.

I can’t see her letting this guy in our room, no matter how charming he may be when he wants to.

“Are you ready to check out the view from your ward?” the orderly from before announces as he strides in the room.

The nurse follows him to Lily’s side, checking the plaster. “All to set to go, but we still need to be careful when we move you.”

I step aside and let the professionals do their thing while they shift everything out of the way and get her rolling. Bowen stands at my side, arms folded, which only accentuates how enormous this guy is.

I mean, looking at him on Insta is one thing, but seeing that mass in real life? I have to give it to him; he has one hell of an impressive work ethic to stay dedicated to the plan a body like his would require.

“If the list’s finished, I’ll get going so she has her things to be settled before lights out.”

I hesitate as they wheel Lily out the double doors. “Thank you.” I quickly add my number to the bottom of the list and hand it back. “Let me know when you’re on your way back and I’ll give you the ward number so you can find us.”

He nods, taking his phone from my hand. “You better catch up.”

The hesitation in his answer intrigues me, but like he says, I better get on if I don’t want to lose Lily.

“I guess we’ll see you soon then.”

“Yeah.” His smile is slight, but it’s still undeniable. “You’re a good mum, Ava.”

All I can do is give another smile as I turn away and jog to catch up with Lily and the orderly, although the need to dig into this man further burns at me as I catch sight of my daughter down the hall, waiting on a lift.

Coming here triggered something for him.

Something, I’m guessing, he’s only just coming to terms with himself.

---