Page 9 of More Than a Little Spark

“I’m so sorry.I asked Carson about the car, but he didn’t tell me it was totaled.And we can have another costume party.”

“Because I told him I didn’t want you to worry.As for the costume, they had to cut it off because it hurt too bad to take it off the right way.So I won’t be wearing that again.Now, why have you kept Carson a secret?Is he engaged or something?He’s the best thing that happened to me tonight.”

Rose shakes her head.“I don’t know.He was hired to replace Dallas.I don’t really know him all that well, but I think he’s single.Maybe.I’m not sure.He has a son, but I’ve never heard him mention a wife or girlfriend.”

I try to sit up, but my muscles aren’t ready for that.“Did he come to the hospital?”

“He’s in the waiting room with Dallas.”

I smile and close my eyes.“Tell him he was right.I did need to get checked out.Did he grab my phone?”

“Yes.And your purse.”Rose drags a chair close and sits.“When they let you out of the hospital, you can stay with me while you heal.And I can call your boss and let him know what’s going on.”

“I’ll just text him when I get my phone.He prefers texts.If Austin Graves had his way, he’d speak with no one but his wife on the phone.”I chuckle, then wince.When am I going to learn that cracking myself up is a bad idea?

I tell Rose what happened and how Carson rescued me.Then I clasp her hand.“I really need to know if he’s single.”

“I’ll find out.”She gives me a funny look.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

She lifts her shoulders and stares at me.Her wheels are turning, and the strain of figuring out how to word her thoughts is nearly audible.

“Just say it.”

“I’m surprised.That’s all.He doesn’t seem like your type.Especially since he’s a single dad.”She flashes an apologetic smile.“The guys you’ve gone out with before were… not like Carson.”

“I felt the spark, Rose.And I know I’d just been in an accident, and I might be swayed because he was the one who rescued me.But I felt it.And I really, really hope he felt it too.”

She squeezes my hand.“I’ll find out.”

“You can’t tell him what I just said though.About the spark.I don’t want to scare him off.”

“Mum’s the word.”She stands.“I’m going to go and let him come in for a bit.Is that okay?He’s been waiting hours to see you.”

“Yeah.How horrible do I look?My hair must be awful.”I try to smooth out the tangled mess, but holding up my arms hurts.

“Daphne, you are always stunning.You could cross the street in a garbage bag and stop traffic.You look fine.”

“Anyone crossing the street in a garbage bag would stop traffic.It’s weird.”

She laughs.“You know what I mean.”

After she leaves, I stare at the door, waiting for Carson.It’s so nice that he came up to the hospital and stayed so long.My mind is muddled with thoughts, and when he steps into the room, the dumbest thing pops out of my mouth.

“You buttoned up your shirt.”

He glances down and touches the buttons.“Yeah.No one here knows I’m in costume, and walking around with my shirt unbuttoned just looks creepy.It doesn’t make people think of Magnum PI.”

“I recognized the costume.My mom used to watch reruns of that show.You know, before we could stream whatever we wanted.”

“Back in the days when it was cool for men to have chest hair.”

I laugh, then pinch my lips together.“Stop.You can’t be funny.”

“Oh.Sorry.”He shoves his hands in his pockets.“There goes my personality.”

“Stop!”I hold my sides.

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