Page 47 of Recipes for Life

Murphy visibly paled. “What?”

“I knew the risk,” I whispered.

“I’ll alert radiology, and you’re getting a CT scan of that head.” Loretta had her touchpad out, alerting whoever she needed to make that happen.

“I don’t think a CT scan is necessary.”

She huffed at me. “Considering youdecidedto stay out and help, I think it’s absolutely necessary.”

She walked away, mumbling something aboutyoung people not knowing when to quit,before giving me a no-nonsense look over her shoulder.

That left Murphy and me alone, sitting on my ER bed, and I couldn’t quite make out the emotion he was feeling.

“Now, Murph…”

“You didn’t tell me your ribs were hurt.” He kept his gaze to the floor.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”

“That big of a deal...” Still his gaze stayed strained to the floor. “I didn’t realize how hurt you were… I grabbed you there, made you let me carry you.” He was now mumbling more to himself than to me. “I told myself I wouldn’t ever hurt you again.”

Now I was sure he was no longer talking to me, but lost in some form of shock, I was sure.

“Murphy, no, this wasn’t your fault…”

Before I could get any more words out, Benji came rushing to where I was.

Benji.

“Loretta came to get me as soon as she could. I’m sorry it wasn’t sooner…I didn’t know you were involved in the accident.” Benji walked over with my chart and was pushing up his glasses. Murphy, who was sitting next to me, snapped his head in Benji’s direction and had such a crestfallen look on his face once he made eye contact with him.

Did he know who Benji was?

“Benji. I didn’t realize you were on shift tonight.”

“Ah yes, well...they called me in due to the accident for extra hands,” he mumbled.

At that moment, Murphy got up and made his way to the other side of the bed, not leaving butdefinitelycreating some distance between us. I couldn’t help but keep my gaze focused on Murphy and not Benji, who was currently still talking to me.

“I got those tests ordered for you, so someone will be by shortly…”

I barely registered what Benji was saying because my gaze and focus was on Murphy, and Murphy’s was on Benji.

“Sorry, could you repeat that?” I shook my head and caught Murphy finally looking at me before I turned my attention to Benji.

“I apologize. I should have introduced myself. I’m Benji, Odette’s friend and colleague.”

He extended his hand to Murphy, who had a pensive look on his face.

“Murphy. I’m…”

For some reason, I knew he was about to say he was myex-husband,and I just couldn’t bear hearing those words come from his mouth right now.

“He’s with me.”

What an idiot.

Both Murphy and Benji looked me over with surprise, although Murphy’s look had softened considerably, and I felt myself calm down.

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