Page 22 of Love and Memories

TRAVIS

Travis made his way through the halls of the hospital, clearing his mind of any indecision. He was already here, and there wasn’t any turning back. In fact, he’d made up his mind before falling asleep the night before.

He’d be visiting Bella every day he was able until she was released. Coming to grips with his decision took away all of the back-and-forth he’d been juggling for almost a week.

Travis stopped at the nurse’s desk and waited for a brunette nurse to look up at him.

“Can I help you?” she asked quietly.

“Is Isabella still in room 506?”

The nurse turned her attention back to the screen. “Yes, sir.”

Travis tipped his chin in thanks and headed toward the woman he couldn’t stop thinking about. He wasn’t ready to open up to someone again, but maybe he’d spend enough time with Isabella to figure out they weren’t compatible and he’d have no trouble walking away after she figured out where she belonged.

That was the game plan, and he could stick to it. Vanessa pulled the wool over his eyes, and being kicked to the curb by awoman he cared about was one of those things where he didn’t intend to let history repeat itself.

Isabella didn’t even know who she was. He couldn’t get attached only to find out that she lived halfway across the country or had a family waiting for her.

He’d firmed up his resolve by the time he reached her room and knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Travis stepped inside and nearly jerked to a halt. The coverings on the windows were pulled back, letting the light shine in. A bouquet of colorful flowers sat on the dresser, and the whole place was illuminated.

Then there was Bella. She sat up on the bed with shining eyes and a wide smile. Her hair was braided to one side and fell over her shoulder, leaving her face and neck exposed. The bandage on her head was smaller, and the swelling around her eye had gone down.

There was no denying it now. Bella was pretty, and a sinking feeling in his gut said she’d only become more alluring when her bruises healed and he could see the rest of her face.

The firm game plan he’d constructed before visiting was wavering. How could he expect to not feel anything when she looked at him like he was her favorite person in the world?

“You came,” she said, sitting up straighter.

Yep. He came to seal his fate. This was a terrible idea, and he wanted to go back in time and kick himself last night for thinking this was a good idea.

“I came.”

“What’s that?” she asked, gesturing to the bag in his hand.

He’d almost forgotten about the muffin he’d brought her. After Hadley told him Bella liked the one the girls brought her, he made up his mind not to show up empty-handed.

“Breakfast.” He placed the bag on the tray. “I heard you like strawberry.”

“You heard right. Thank you.” Bella opened the bag and dipped her hand inside.

“You’re welcome.” He pointed at the flowers. “Those are nice.”

Bella gave him a knowing grin. “Your friends brought them yesterday. Thank you for asking them to stop by. I had the best time.”

Travis stepped closer to the bed–closer to her. “I’m glad. How are you feeling?”

Bella took a bite of the muffin and pointed toward the chair against the wall. “Sit,” she said with a mouthful of muffin.

Travis did as he was told but left some distance between them. He needed a buffer. It was ridiculous to be so cautious around her, but she was quickly becoming someone he wanted to trust.

He’d been quick to believe and willing to dismiss the red flags before. Now, he made a point to remember that trust needed to be earned and maintained. Isabella couldn’t have done that in just a few days.

She pushed the short sleeve of the hospital gown up her arm, revealing a small line with a few stitches in it. “This one looks good. The one on my head is looking better, and the bruise on my face is still sore, but only when I forget about it and accidentally touch it.”

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