Page 15 of More Than a Little Spark

“You can call me Austin, Daphne.I’ve told you that before.”He says it with a hint of humor in his tone.“But if you need anything, please call me.Or text.Whatever’s easier.”

“I will.And after tomorrow, I’ll know more about recovery time and such.”

“Great.Will you text me the room number at the hospital?”

“Sure.As soon as I hang up.”

“Very good.Feel better.Bye.”He ends the call.

I’m fortunate to work for a boss who isn’t a jerk.

After flipping through channels and finding nothing interesting, I pick up my phone.Thanks to sweet Carson, my phone is fully charged, and I’m not lying here bored out of my skull.

But when the vast expanse of the internet is no longer interesting, I close my eyes for a short nap.

And when I open them again, the nurse is standing beside the bed with a huge bouquet.“Someonesent you flowers.”

My heart races as I reach for the card.“I have no idea who they might be from.”I have hopes, but reading the card shatters those.“They’re from my boss.”

“Ooh, your boss?”She sets them on the nightstand beside the bed.

I don’t want weird rumors to get started because of a stupid bouquet, beautiful as it is.“Nothing like that.I’m guessing his wife ordered them.He’s not really a flowers kind of guy.”

“And the guy who was here this morning?”

“Not my boss.He and I just met when he stopped to help me after the accident.”I wince as I shift.

She checks the time.“It’s time for more meds.And if you want my opinion, the rescuer is someone you want to hang onto.Donuts and a phone charger beat flowers any day.”

I laugh, then clench my jaw, hating that laughter causes me pain.“Totally right.And he’s bringing me dinner tonight.He once heard that hospital food wasn’t good, and I’ve done nothing to change his mind.No offense to the people in the cafeteria.I mean, lunch wasn’t bad.But I like when Carson comes up to the hospital.”

“I’ve gathered that.”She hands me pills and a small cup of water.

“I’m not sure he’s picked up on that though.”I recline the bed.“Either that or he’s not the least bit interested.”

“Showing up repeatedly is not a sign of disinterest.”She taps my good foot as she walks by the bed.“I’ll check on you later.”

I give her a thumbs-up.And it’s not long before the pain medication makes it hard to focus on anything.So I close my eyes.

There’s a knock, and I call out, “Come in.”I don’t even have my eyes open yet, but I’m trying to shake the fog of my late afternoon nap.Since the sun is going down, it’s clear that I slept longer than expected.

Carson walks in and stands beside the bed.“Hi.Sorry to wake you.”

“You’re good.It’s the meds.I blink and hours disappear.It’s weird.”

He holds up a bag and a Styrofoam cup.“I brought you brisket, potato salad, and a DP.”

“You’re the best.”I rub my face, then gently shift into a sitting position.

He sets out the food on the rolling table and moves it to the bed.

“Aren’t you going to eat?”I don’t wait for an answer before digging into the brisket.

He glances at the flowers, then shakes his head, avoiding eye contact.“I can’t stay.”

“Carson.”I wait for him to meet my gaze.When he does, I say, “Those are from my boss.My happily married boss.In fact, if I had to guess, his wife probably called in the order for flowers.”

“They’re nice.”

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