Page 35 of Vain
“Could do anything to her.”
“It’s the ICU, Aiden. Nobody here is in any state to hurt anyone.” Wade sighs, following behind me.
“I’ll be back, Kellen,” I call out as I jog down the corridor, following the numbers as they descend until I find the door marked with a two.
I don’t bother to knock. I push it open and then freeze in the doorway when I see Tilly sitting on the bed with her arms wrapped around a young girl. Tilly jumps, instinctively moving in front of the girl before she recognizes me.
“Jesus, Aiden, you scared the crap out of me.”
“Shit,” Wade curses behind me.
“What the heck, Aiden?” Jennette shoves past me. “I’m so sorry. I gave him the message you asked for. He then got a bee in his bonnet.”
Her eyes drop to Tilly’s exposed forearm. I tense, waiting for Jennette to say something or for Tilly to freak out. Instead, Tilly swallows and turns to the kid. “Zoe, this is Aiden. Apparently, he has a bee in his bonnet,” she teases, making the kid giggle, which is when I notice her burns.
“I don’t know who the cute guy with him is, though,” she whispers loudly, making the kid full-on belly laugh. Jennette sucks in a sharp breath as if the sound is something she isn’t used to.
“That’s Mr. Wade. He’s a police officer. He’s nice.”
“He is, huh? You sure he doesn’t have any bees in his bonnet?”
“I’m sure,” she whispers.
“Well, if I knew I was going to be in the company of such beautiful women, I would have brushed my hair,” Wade jokes, making both Tilly and Zoe laugh.
“Alright, there are too many of you in here. Someone needs to leave.”
“I’ll go,” Wade offers.
I look at Tilly and see how she’s holding onto Zoe. “We both will. Give you some girl time. It was a pleasure to meet you, Zoe.” She flushes and dips her head shyly. Damn, this kid is a heartbreaker.
I wink at Tilly and leave, surprised when Jennette follows us out, closing the door.
“I’m sorry. I was just worried about her.”
“I figured that out. That’s the only reason I’m not calling security.” She looks back at the room before turning back to me. “It’s been a long time since I heard Zoe laugh. If I wasn’t already half in love with that woman, I am now.”
“Well, she’s mine, and I don’t share,” I answer without thinking, but I’ll be damned if I take it back.
“You’re dating Matilda Carson?” She gasps.
“You’re what?”
I groan at the sound of Cora’s voice from behind us.
“Well, that’s not awkward at all,” Wade mutters.
I glare at him before turning to Cora. “What do you want now, Cora?”
“Matilda Carson? Really, that’s what you’re telling people?” She snorts, flipping her hair. “You think pretending you’re dating a movie star will change my mind about us, but it just proves to me how much you still love me.”
“Oh, this will be good.” Wade chuckles.
“Nobody in town would poach you, not that you’d want to date down after having all this. I guess it had to be a movie star to be considered an upgrade.” She chuckles at the joke only she gets. I honestly have no idea what to say.
“Call me when you come to your senses. Oh, and get rid of the piece of fluff from earlier.” She struts off, swaying her hips like she’s working for tips.
“Did that just happen?”
