Page 29 of Still The One

GUY ‘FOSTER’

‘Hello,’ Eve says as she enters my room. ‘I brought food from the outside world.’

She’s got a pink bakery box in her hands with a brown paper bag balancing on top, grease already staining through, and a plastic grocery bag hanging off one wrist. On her shoulder is her stuffed bag she brings daily, filled with all the necessities a woman on the go may need.

If only I could hide the smile that automatically fills my face each time I see this woman.

‘You didn’t have to do all this,’ I say. ‘Though I’m not going to say I hate that you did.’

‘I figured. Now what do you want to start with, doughnuts or burgers?’

I think about it for half a second. ‘Burgers.’ I can’t resist, after smelling Matty’s the other day.

‘Excellent idea,’ she says, dumping four burgers wrapped in red and white paper on the tray near my bed. She takes one herself, along with a container of fries, and sits in the chair facing my bed.

I unwrap one and take a bite, leaning my head back against the pillow and closing my eyes to savor every morsel. ‘Mmmmmmm!’ I moan, making Eve laugh. ‘This is so much better than hospital-issued lobster bisque.’

‘Only the brave order it,’ she says. ‘Someone once suggested we use it as colonoscopy prep.’

I laugh. ‘I’m glad it didn’t have that effect on me.’

She obviously made herself up after her elderly swim class this morning – though she didn’t need to because even make-up-less and soaking wet, she’s easily the most gorgeous girl I’ve ever laid eyes on.

‘Did you know there’s a doughnut burger?’ I ask, just making conversation.

‘Ew. Where?’

I shrug my one good shoulder. ‘A food truck in Orlando. It’s called the Luther Burger. Krispy Creme glazed doughnuts, with a bacon cheeseburger inside.’

Her scrunched disgusted face is adorable. ‘Sounds like the recipe for acute coronary syndrome.’

A single eyebrow jets up my forehead as I question her silently.

‘Heart attack,’ she clarifies. ‘Have you eaten this Luther Burger?’

I nod. ‘A few times.’

Eve’s bright eyes widen in mock horror. ‘And you’re still alive to tell the tale?’ she teases, a playful grin tugging at the corners of her lips.

‘I’m invincible,’ I say with faux bravado, winking at her. ‘Obviously.’

She shakes her head, but there’s a lightness in her expression that says she’s enjoying our banter.

‘Obviously…’ she repeats.

We finish our burgers silently and I go in for another while she eats fries one by one, without ketchup.

‘There’s still a rumor of me going home tomorrow,’ I say, causing her to pause with a French fry midway to her mouth.

The thought of leaving this hospital room where she’s been my daily visitor is bittersweet. Sweet because it means progress and recovery, but bitter because it also means I’ll be headed home, thousands of miles from Eve once again.

She smiles, but I swear I see a hint of sadness in her eyes. ‘That’s great news, Foster. I’m sure your buddies and bike miss you immensely.’

‘I miss them too,’ I admit, feeling a pang of disappointment that surprises me with its intensity.

For a moment she’s in heavy thought over something but when she finishes her fries, she stands, grabs the pink bakery box, and opens it to reveal an array of colorful doughnuts.

‘Well, we’ll have to make the most of the time we have left then. Doughnut?’ she offers, holding out the box to me.

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