Page 18 of Hard Hat Hottie

“Hi,” he replies. His voice is deep and sexy, just as I dreamed it would be. Despite the fact he’s lying here in pain. “It’s my mermaid.” A broad smile crosses his face, but his eyes are glassy and unfocused. He’s likely talking out of his head from all the medication.

My head snaps up as loud snickers echo around me, not just from the nurses and techs, but from his coworkers as well.

My body goes rigid at their callous laughter, and I turn at an angle, hoping to shield him and keep our conversation more private. I hate everyone is making fun of him after he got hurt during such a heroic act. “What’s your name?”

“Harrison. But you can call me Harry.” The dreamy look on his face doesn’t waver. And now I’m as bad as the rest of them.

Looking over my shoulder, I give Shay a bemused look. She’s wearing an infectious smile as she mouths “Harry the Hard Hat Hottie.” I shake my head, biting my lip so as not to laugh out loud myself.

“It’s you. My mermaid.” In an instant, his wistful expression suddenly falls serious. “Wait… Did I die? Is this heaven?”

More guffaws come from about the room. I’m not certain I understand what he’s saying, but that’s fairly typical of patients who’ve received strong medications of this sort. Based on this crazy conversation, I’m not so sure he’s going to need as much sedation as Gretchen thinks.

“Dude, you need to zip it before you embarrass yourself,” one of the men from the corner snorts.

“Too late,” another adds.

“Are you kidding? Keep talking,” the third blurts as he pulls out his phone.

Returning my gaze back over my shoulder, I give Shay a knowing look before she jumps into action.

“All right, fellas, time to go. We’ll let you know when he’s ready for visitors.”

“Damn, and it was just getting good.”

Harry turns his hand over, his large palm engulfing mine. “Hi.”

This time I can’t help but giggle. “We’ve already done that. Is your pain better?”

“What pain? Come closer,” he pleads.

Nervously, I slide a bit nearer to him, my ear hovering close to his mouth.

“What color are your panties?”

I bolt upright in shock, hoping I heard him incorrectly.

“What’s the matter?” Shay asks as she comes to stand beside me.

“I think he’s probably had enough Versed,” I whisper. “He’s talking out of his ass now.” I laugh.

“What did he?—?”

“Hi there, Harrison. I’m Dr. Davis. I’m the orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Robertson said he’d gone over everything with you. But we’re going to need to get the bones in your wrist realigned and put a temporary splint on there until I can get you to the operating room.”

“Okay.”

I’m surprised he’s able to respond, given how he was talking a moment ago.Harrison. I like that name.I glance over my shoulder as Patrick wheels in the cast cart. Dr. Davis continues to review the treatment plan and asks Harrison when the last time he had anything to eat or drink. He’s able to confirm he hasn’t had anything today because he was running late to work, had a flat tire, and missed her again. Whatever that means.

Gretchen has him sign a consent form for treatment, and I have to wonder how alert he is to be signing anything binding.

“You’ve had a rough day all around, it sounds like,” Dr. Davis teases.

“Nah. This morning was bad. I missed her again.” His expression is so sad it tugs at my heart. Who did he miss? “But now she’s here!” he blurts excitedly.

“Who’s that?” Dr. Davis asks.

“My mermaid.”

---