Page 36 of Still The One

Phil lifts a single eyebrow. When his gaze meanders back to Foster, he looks confused. ‘Why are you wearing scrub pants?’

‘He’s from Florida,’ I say.

‘And scrubs are on trend there?’

‘He has nothing with him.’

Phil rubs his chin, clearly concerned. ‘What are you, six foot? A size large?’

Foster nods.

‘I’ll set him up.’

Foster shakes his head, his eyes fixed on Phil’s bright orange sweatpants. ‘No, no. No need to do that,’ he says firmly. ‘I canorder the things I need from Target or some other store and have them delivered.’

‘Nonsense,’ Phil says, waving a hand. ‘That’s a process, darling, and it seems like you have enough on your plate. It’s no problem at all. I’ll be back in a jif.’ He exits my bedroom, me following close behind.

‘Thanks, Phil,’ I say, dropping my keys and purse on the counter.

Instead of trotting off to his apartment, he turns, stopping the door from closing with one hand. ‘I’m going to want to hear the details of this ex-husband I knew nothing about, so when I come back, I’ll have wine – be ready.’

‘It’ll take at least two bottles for that story.’

‘I’ll bring three,’ he says with a gleeful smile. Phil loves gossip. So, with that settled, he disappears down the hall and toward his apartment, two doors down.

I close my front door, walk into my room, and turn to Foster. ‘Are you comfortable? Do you need adjusting or more pillows?’

‘Pain meds. Bring me the pain meds,’ he moans.

I glance at my Apple watch, then shake my head. ‘Sorry, mister. You’ve got another hour before those are due. I’ve got a schedule.’ I grab the discharge paperwork from my dresser and flash it before him.

‘When’s my sponge bath?’ he asks coyly.

I scan the paperwork. ‘Oh, they seem to have forgotten that order. Too bad.’

He frowns.

‘Also, I’ve got one rule while you’re here.’

‘Hit me with it,’ he says.

‘No flirting in my apartment.’

He cocks his head, giving me a ‘you can’t be serious’ stare. ‘I’ve been flirting with you since the day we met. I don’t even know how to speak to you without doing it.’

‘I guess it’s a good thing you’ll be asleep a lot then, huh?’ I say with a laugh. ‘Just behave, alright? And don’t make it weird.’

‘No promises there,’ he says, leaning his head back against the pillows and closing his eyes.

‘Here’s the remote.’ I open the bedside table drawer and set it on his chest. ‘Watch whatever, but the doctor said to sleep as much as you can, so you can either go quietly or…’ I grab another pillow, slowly lowering it toward his face.

‘Or you’ll put me to sleep? Nice.’ He chuckles.

‘I’ll fill your water cup.’ I grab the hospital-issued plastic cup.

‘Can you fill it with vodka? I hear drinking with pain meds makes them work better.’

‘OK, new rule – no drinking while you’re here,’ I laugh. ‘But I could poison it with anti-freeze? Interested?’

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