Page 68 of More Than a Little Spark

Lilith shakes her head.“The infected.You make them sound like zombies.”

“I’ll feel like a zombie if I catch it.”He feigns a shiver, acting like the thought scares him.

“We should go.Beau is getting loopy.”Lilith hugs me.“Please let us know if there is anything we can do.”

Beau shakes my hand.“Heal up.And what she said.Anything at all, okay?”

“Will do.”I hold out my hand to Fred.“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He hugs me.“Love you, Dad.”

“I love you too.”

When the three of them walk out of the room, Daphne lets go of my hand long enough to pull a chair close to the bed.“You fell through a roof?”

“No.My leg went through a roof.The rest of me stayed on top of it.”

She kisses my hand.“I was so worried.And poor Fred was working so hard to keep it together.He did because he was trying to be strong for me.”

“I tried my best to let y’all know I was okay.”

“We could hear the pain in your voice.”She has my hand sandwiched between hers.“You aren’t great at hiding stuff or lying.”

“Two qualities every woman wants in her man.”

She laughs.“True.”

“I love you.Thank you for dropping everything and rushing to help.”I motion for her to get closer.

She leans in for a kiss.“When you or Fred need me, I’ll come running.”

“Driving is faster.You should keep that in mind.”

Shaking her head at my dumb joke, she laughs, then kisses me again.

I knew a year ago that I wanted to marry her, but I was waiting to see if Fred was comfortable around her.If this mishap has taught me anything, it’s that she’s the real deal and Fred likes having her around.

Now I just have to wait on this stupid leg to heal.

Hobbling aroundwithout crutches feels like an achievement unlocked.It’s been four weeks since my injury, and healing feels really slow.

Daphne hands me a cup of coffee when I reach the end of the hall.“Please be careful.”She gives me a quick peck.“I have to run.I’m already late.”

She’s been living in the guest room since my accident.In the mornings, she helps me by laying out my clothes and making sure my crutches are beside the bed.But I’m now at a point that I can do most things on my own.

Even though I like having her here, I feel bad that it adds to her commute.“I’m getting around pretty good.You don’t have to stay on my account.I know the drive is longer.”

She rolls her eyes.“The drive isn’t bad if I leave on time.”

I tug her close and kiss her properly.“Have a great day.”

“Thanks.”She hurries toward the door.“Bye, Fred.See you tonight.”

Fred hollers from down the hall.“Bye.”

I’ve just taken a sip of coffee when he walks into the kitchen a few minutes later, his hair dripping wet.

“Are you waiting until you can get down on one knee?”

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