Page 23 of Just One Moment

“Toanswer your first question, it’s a long story.Andfor the second,Iwhacked it on the edge of the table.It’snot that bad is it?”Sheflinches when she presses a finger to the injury. “Ouch.”

Thattiny noise of pain rattles me. “Doyou have a first aid kit?”

“Underthe sink, butIcan do it.Youmust have somewhere to be?”

“I’mright whereIneed to be.Wehad a meeting.Remember?”Isnatch her wrist before her hand can slap against her forehead. “Notthe best idea.Nowstay put and be good.”

Shesmirks at my words and whenIplay them back in my head,Ihear exactly how they sound.

Findingthe small kit under the sink,Ireturn to where she’s waiting patiently for me and sit back on my haunches, ourfaces level again.Unlatchingthe plastic box,Ifind whatIneed: alcohol wipes, pain reliever, andBand-Aids.Mostof them are bright blue, as you’d expect to find in an area used for food preparation, but whenIspot a few with unicorns and stars on them,Idecide she’ll like one of those best.

“CanI?”Iask, holding up the wipe asItear it open.

“Goahead,Dr.Sadler.”

AsIshuffle forward,Ipush back her hair, careful not to brush against the tender spot.Thesmell of sugar and vanilla immediately fills my nose.Fromthis close,Icould get a sugar rush.

“I’msorry if this stings.”

Igently swipe the alcohol-soaked cotton over her head but jerk my hand away when she hisses loudly. “Joking, joking.”Shegiggles, her hand wrapping around my wrist as the soft chime of her laughter tinkles around us.Thataddictive sound, paired with the sweet smell of her, is going to drive me insane.

Scratchthat,I’mtoo far gone.

“You’retrouble.”Itry to keep my eyes on the task at hand, not allowing them to drop to her bee-stung lips or look to whereIfeel her gaze burning into the side of my jaw. “Seriouslythough,Quinn, why were you sleeping here?”

Shevisibly shivers andIpause my movements, worriedI’vehurt her. “Rats.Lotsand lots of rats.”

“Ratsin your apartment?House?”IrealizeIdon’t even know where she lives.

“Myvan.”

“Yourvan?”Mybrows lift in surprise.

“Yeah,Ilive in a van.She’scalledNelly.It’sbeen renovated and is fully livable.Don’tgo cracking any hippy jokes,” she warns with a stern look that does nothing to intimidate me. “It’scozy and has been my trusty steed for years.Anyway, raccoons have been visiting me a lot recently andIheard them scurrying around in the engine last night.Onlyit wasn’t raccoons,Graham.Theywere rats.Somany rats.Iswear one of them went for my throat.Itwas too late to wake upMr.Willisand…Idropped my phone in their nest.So,Islept here.”

“That’squite the ordeal.IthinkIknow a guy who can help you out, let me call him.”

“No,” she protests. “Youdon’t need to do that.I’mgoing to call a mechanic this morning.Now, finish patching me up, please,Doctor,Ihave a meeting to get to.”

Feelingbrave,Igo along with the gag asIclean her wound, but immediately regret it. “Wouldyou like a lollipop?”

Whyis everythingIsay sounding like an innuendo today?

Shesnickers. “Ohmy god, was that a joke?”

“Hmm.”Iblow across her forehead, making sure it’s dry beforeIplace theBand-Aidand hoping to all that is holy she doesn’t notice my bright red face.

“HowdoIlook?”Sheturns her head from left to right, showcasing the brightly colored bandage.

“Prettyas always.”Thewords are out in the world beforeIcan suck them back in.Itry my best not to react to my slipup, but the heat clawing up my neck lets me know it’s useless.

Quinnsimply chuckles, pats me lightly on the cheek, and stands.Shelowers her hand and helps me to my feet, thoughIdo most of the work.

“Gimmeten minutes to freshen up.Wouldyou mind switching on the coffee machine for me, please?”she asks as she steps toward the small restroom.

Nodding,Ido as asked, quietly collecting my thoughts and preparing for all the possible things she could say to me.Themore prep, the less stuttering.

“Thatwas interesting.”

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