Page 83 of Broken Deal

I stand and open the door, completely unprepared as Lorenzo, who had been leaning his weight against it, tumbles to the floor with a loudthud.

“Ouch,” he groans.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

He gets up, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ve been waiting for you to come out.”

“How long have you been sitting here?” I snap, crossing my arms.

Oh. My. God. Did he hear you losing your shit?

He lifts his hands in surrender. “Not long at all. I just asked if they’ve seen a five-foot midget running around here and someone pointed me to this door,” he jokes, trying to ease the tension that’s flickering between us. But the laugh doesn’t reach his eyes. Instead, all I see ispity.

“I’m so tired of that look you’ve had on your face since we got here.”

He rears back in shock. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Pity, Lorenzo,” I reply, resigned. “You’re looking at me like you pity me.”

He eats the distance between us, forcing me to look him in the eyes. “I do not pity you, Blue. You are a strong woman. An amazing daughter, too. The only look you see right now isworry.” He caresses my cheek, and God, I hate how much I love his touch. “I’m allowed to worry about you, because I care, okay? I know it scares you, but you’re going to have to deal with it.”

Tears well in my eyes once more as I sniffle and roll my eyes. “You think you know me so well.”

“I do,” he says, tone serious. “I know you hate it when people care for you. I know you hate to ask for help. You’re the most stubborn and challenging woman I have ever met.” He smiles at me now, all bright and light; it makes me feel lighter, too. “But that’s not going to stop me from being here for you and taking care of you. You forget I enjoy challenges,” he finishes with a joke, barking a soft laugh that bubbles a laugh out of me, too.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asks.

More than anything. It’s what I almost say. But I don’t think I’m ready to unpack all of that trauma on him.

I shake my head and whisper, “I would like a hug instead, if that’s okay.” My cheeks heat at my words. This is not me at all. But I’m willing to put my stubbornness aside for one of his warm hugs.

He wraps his arms around me without a word, and I rest my head on his chest, inhaling his strong, masculine scent. The scent I correlate peace with. The scent that brings some sense of normalcy. The scent that has started to smell more often than not like belonging.

We stand there for a few minutes, and before he lets go, he gives me one of his famous forehead kisses I like more than I’d ever care to admit. “I was looking for you to tell you that your mom is awake. I saw a few nurses walk into the room.”

My ears perk up, and I shove him aside, rushing to her room. I open the door and find a nurse taking her vitals as Mom casually talks with her, all laughs and smiles.

“Mom.”

Her blue eyes flick to the door, and she raises her eyebrows in surprise. “Honey, hi.”

I approach her and wrap my arms around her in a warm embrace. “You gave me a big scare there,” I say with the fakest smile I can muster, taking a step back. I’ve gotten good at faking smiles around Mom.

“I’m sorry.” She grabs my hand and squeezes it. “What are you doing here? How did you get here so fast?”

“A friend.” My voice quivers for a moment. I’m not sure how much information I want to share. “He has a plane and flew me here.”

“Did you sayhe?” She wiggles her eyebrows.

“He’s actually here, and has been very helpful,” I answer honestly.

More than helpful, is what I want to say. He’s the anchor I didn’t know I needed. I’m glad he stuck around even when I was being stubborn.

“I want to meet this mysterious man.”

I give her a warning glare. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop it.” I sit on the edge of the bed and interlace my fingers with hers. “How are you feeling?”

There are a million questions I want to ask her, but I hold my tongue, because I don’t want to add to her anxiety. I’ll have to get my information from Bailey, who I’m still extremely unhappy with, but I know I have to give her the chance to explain.

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