Page 82 of Come Back to Me

“Well, in that case…” He smiles and brings his lips back to mine.

JACK

My phone rings and it’s a video call coming through from Fitz. When I answer, I beam, seeing my B shift crew all huddled trying to fit in the frame of the screen.

“Hey, Captain, how’s it going?” Fitz asks.

I smile that, even though we’re good friends now, he still uses my work title whenever he’s at the firehouse.

“Pretty, good! I’m hoping to get out of here soon. Maybe tomorrow. Good news. Doc says I should be able to come back to work in about two weeks.”

Their hoots and hollers echo through the phone.

“How are things at the station?” I ask.

“Captain Trina’s been picking up some of your shifts and she’s too tough on us. We want you back,” Garcia teases.

I laugh when Trina reaches over and smacks him on the back of his head.

Just then, two young nurses come into my room, and I say goodbye to the crew before ending the call.

“How’s our most handsome patient?” one of them says, smiling at me. Her tone and body language definitely have a flirty air to them.

Thanks, but no thanks, ladies. I’m a spoken for man.

“I’m fine. Are you taking me over to the step-down unit now? My girlfriend is planning on visiting with our dogs as soon as I’m transferred to a unit with pet visitation allowed,” I answer, careful that my tone makes my disinterest in her clear.

I’m not a dick. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but I’ll never again put myself in a situation that could make Annie feel like she has to worry about my commitment to her and only her.

“Yep,” she says, her change in tone showing she clearly gets the hint before she and the other nurse disconnect me from all the wires and prep me for rolling over to the other unit.

I’ve beenon the new nursing unit for an hour when the clicking of dog nails coming down the hall and cooing from the nursing staff fills the air. I’m pumped, knowing what that means.

A few seconds later, a gorgeous Annie, in jeans and one of my Elladine Fire Department tees, walks in the room with Gracie and Bean by her side.

When they see me, the dogs go absolutely bonkers. Annie smiles and shuts the door to the room before letting go of the leashes.

I quickly pat the bed and say, “Up.”

Both dogs instantly obey, joining me on the bed and covering me in wet dog kisses. Annie and I both laugh, and it only encourages these two.

After a few minutes, Gracie snuggles into my side and closes her eyes. Beanie, true to form, jumps off the bed and starts sniffing around exploring the room, no doubt wantingto make sure a morsel of food hasn’t been left behind for him.

Taking Annie’s hand in mine as she sits in the chair next to me, I lean over and kiss her on the cheek.

“The doc says if I’m stable overnight, I may be discharged home tomorrow. I was thinking, are you okay with staying at my house since it’s fewer steps for me?”

“You… you want me to stay with you? You sure you don’t want to stay with your parents?”

Turning to look her right in the eyes—those stunning green eyes—I make sure she won’t have any question what I want. “Annie, I’m not planning to spend another night away from you… unless you aren’t ready for that.”

“No, not at all. I’m ready for it, Jack,” she says, smiling. “However, just making this clear from the start—this time will be rated G until you get the all-clear from the doctor.”

“That’s fine. Rated G worked for me at our sleepover this summer.” I smirk.

She laughs, and it’s the best sound I’ve heard all day. “I’m serious, true rated G… I don’t want to do anything that can mess up your recovery.”

“We’ll see,” I say, winking at her.

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