Page 19 of Objection to Love

Which was mean, if it was intentional.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled three or four times before he was finished.

Okay, sonottrying to be mean.

“Alright. The worst part is over. Now I’m just going to bandage it. Then I want to see your wrist.”

“My wrist?” Em lifted up her hands while Garrett turned back to the counter. Huh. Both her hands were scraped up, and her left wrist seemed to be bleeding too. How had she not noticed that? How was it not killing her? It looked like it should be.

Garrett focused his eyes on her again before his gaze lowered to her chin. He carefully placed an oversized Band-Aid over the injury.

She lifted her head to give him better access. And then immediately wished she hadn’t. The pain in her chin was subsiding slightly, and Em was suddenly very aware of how close Garrett was, standing between her legs with his fingers lightly brushing her jaw. What if he finished his ministrations with a little kiss? On her neck. Then her lips.

STOP. Stop it right there. Those kinds of thoughts arenotallowed.

“There we go. Can I see your hand?”

Em dutifully stuck out her hand, a little further than necessary. He had to step away from her a bit to look at it but didn’t seem to notice.

Em noticed. Em needed space.

“Well, I’m not a doctor, but it doesn’t appear broken. Maybe sprained. Either way, I’ll clean it up and wrap it.”

“Couldn’t we just wrap it and cross our fingers for a good outcome?”

Garrett chuckled and glanced back at her. Light green. His eyes were light green. A very light green.

“Sorry, but no. This one should be quicker, though. It doesn’t seem to be as deep as your chin was.”

“Okay. Do your worst.”

He was right; it wasn’t as bad as the chin. But it still stung like crazy. When he finally finished, he closed up the first aid kit and gathered up the trash.

“Where’s your trash can?”

Em pointed under the sink.

“That’s where I keep mine too.” He backed toward it. “Great minds, I guess. Definitely not a common place to keep a trash can.” He winked.

A small smile tried to cross her lips.Ouch.

So smiling was out.

“So.” He leaned across the peninsula, resting his forearms against the white quartz counter. “Why were you so distracted?”

“Work stuff.”

“Not surprising. But whatissurprising is how early you’re home today. Why is that?”

“You seem to know my daily schedule a little well. Should I be worried?”

He rolled his eyes. “It’s not hard to know your daily schedule. You leave before most people are out of bed—”

“Except you,” Em pointed out.

“Yes, but I like to watch the sunrise. Something tells me that’s not the reason you’re up early.” He raised his eyebrows, and she inclined her head in acquiescence. He wasn’t wrong. “As I was saying, you leave when most people are in bed, get home after most people eat dinner, and don’t leave your house otherwise.”

Em frowned—which also hurt. That made her sound pretty boring. And a little too much like he agreed with her coworkers.

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