Page 41 of Demon

I push further. “Are you worried about me or something?” I ask playfully.

His eyes soften even more.He so is.And just like that, I melt. “I’ll be careful,” I assure him. “Will I see you at the end of my shift?”

“I’ll be back during your lunch break. Around one?”

“That should be about right. If I’m not in the cafeteria, I’ll be at the gift shop.” I ought to make another payment on that unicorn for Sammy. The thought tightens my chest. I hate that I’m struggling to afford something so simple. But with work, I’ll manage. I force a smile. “I should get going. I’ll see you then.”

I turn to leave, but he clasps my wrist firmly, pulling my attention back to him. Our gazes lock. “What’s wrong?” His voice is low, concerned.

“Nothing.” I try to sound convincing. “I’m good. I just... thank you for helping me get back to work. I need this job.”

He watches me with an unreadable expression as I step into the elevator. Before the doors close, I glance back. He’s still standing there, his expression something I can’t quite decipher. I suspect he is unsure how to respond to gratitude. Has he ever received affection and kindness from a woman? The lack of explains his reactions. I need to step it up.

After getting out on the ICU floor, I make my way to my locker and put my stuff away, shove my phone in my pocket, and go to report to my manager at the front desk. She smiles. “Good to have you back.”

“I’m so sorry about leaving you short-staffed, and on my second week... I was just—” The word vomit is unstoppable. I’m simply unhappy about letting people down.

“It’s okay, we have casual staff to step in, and my manager approved your time off, so don’t stress.”

I blow out a breath in relief and have a chat with her about existing patients, then get started on my rounds.

* * *

The morning rushdistracts me for a while, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Jett. Between patient rounds, I check my phone. I got a single text from him, letting me know Sammy’s happy and playing at the clubhouse.

By the time my lunch break rolls around, I collect my bag and head straight to the hospital gift shop. The elderly cashier greets me warmly, and I step up to the counter.

“I’m here to make another payment on the unicorn,” I say, pulling out my wallet.

Her eyes widen and she clutches her chest, her gaze darting over my shoulder. I turn and nearly bump into Jett. He’s right behind me.

I clear my throat and speak to the cashier again. “You still have the unicorn, right?”

“Yes.”

Relieved, I fumble for my debit card, but Jett places cash on the counter before I can finish.

“Is that enough?” he asks the cashier.

She counts the bills and nods. “Yes, that’ll cover it.”

“Wait,” I blurt, turning to him. “Thank you, but I can handle it. I’ve got until Christmas to pay it off.”

“It’s paid for now,” he replies, shrugging nonchalantly.

“Jett, no. I can’t have you paying for Sammy’s things. She’s my responsibility.”

He tilts his head, studying me like I’m the strange one. “Christmas isn’t far. Save your money for other things you need.” His voice is softer now, almost gentle.

I sigh, knowing I won’t win this argument. “Okay.”

The cashier retrieves the unicorn from the back, and my heart swells at the sight of it. Bright, colorful, and exactly what Sammy’s been dreaming of.

Jett picks it up effortlessly, and I stifle a laugh.

He frowns at me. “What?”

“You with a unicorn. It’s just... adorable.” Intimidating biker holding a pink-and-rainbow-colored unicorn in his arms.

---