Page 48 of One Foggy Christmas
My shoulderblades press into the wall as I wait outside my hospital room.
Plot twist: I married a crossdresser.
It should be shocking, but at this point, nothing surprises me. It’s a new version of Hell each day.
The door swings open, and a fully dressed Nash stares back at me with a humorous tint to his smile. “You’re free to come in. No more indecent exposures. I promise.”
“Too bad I can’t erase the first one from my mind.” I walk past him into my room. For one second, I’m immersed in the sweet smell of his aftershave, causing my senses to perk like they just got a shot of vitamin C.
“I would apologize, but it’s not like you haven’t seen it before.”
I regret glancing back at him—his smile is far too suggestive.
“Oh, so it’s typical of you to prance around in my clothes?” I crawl into my bed, situating my legs under the covers. “No wonder I blocked out our relationship.” There are hints of joking in my voice alongside the clipped bitterness.
“In all fairness, I wasn’t prancing.” He pushes the door closed. My eyes follow until it clicks shut.
Ugh. He’s staying.
“There weren’t any towels in the bathroom, and I didn’t want to be completely naked in case you came in unexpectedly.”
“Which I did.” I watch as he walks to his bag of clothes and begins packing things up.
“Unfortunate timing. Or was it?” He throws me another impish smile.
I suck in a sharp breath, feeling my annoyance build. “What are you doing in my room anyway?”
“I just needed a quick shower, and I didn’t want to drive home when there’s one right here.”
I guess I can share my shower. After all, I’m married to the man.
He finishes with his bag and walks toward me. With each step, my heart tenses until I realize he’s just picking up the stuff that fell onto the ground during his face plant.
“How did your physical therapy go?”
I guess we’re making small talk.
“Great.” I fake a smile to offset my sarcasm. “I got a gold star for passing off my fine motor skills. You’ll be happy to hear I can feed myself.”
“Oh, good.” He blows out an exaggerated breath. “Your ability to hold a spoon is my top concern right now.”
I don’t like the glimmer in his eyes, so I turn my head, looking longingly at the door for someone to come save me, butmy family has already left for their hotel, and my nurse won’t come in again until the shift change.
So it’s just me and Nash.
Nash and me.
“You want me to leave, don’t you?”
I whip my head to him, feigning innocence. “No, I’m just tired. That’s all.”
“You’re lying.” He laughs good-naturedly, which is a better response than him being offended. “But it’s okay. I’ll go.” He grabs the remote attached to the bed and dims the lights before putting it in my reach, then he pulls the blankets, spreading them over my body. I watch each kind gesture in silence, feeling my guilt grow. “I’ll go get you more ice.” He shakes my water bottle as he heads for the door.
I’m pushing him away. I know it’s unfair, but it’s how I protect myself. My mind drifts to Annie and all the answers she couldn’t give me. I’m not sure I want the answers to my questions, but when Nash walks back into the room, I decide to try.
“I can’t figure out why I married you.” I didn’t mean for my words to be so tactless. I quickly try to soften them. “I mean?—”
“It’s fine.” Nash gives me another one of his easy laughs. “I’ve wondered that same thing for years. You’re way out of my league.”
