My nurse storms into the room. Anne’s face is a mask of fury. “Colonel Payne.” She glares at him. “That’s not what we agreed.”
“What?” My eyes bounce between them.
He lifts a brow, but doesn’t turn.
She drops her hands on her hips and gives him an even more withering look. “You’re upsetting my patient. We were going to let him tell her…”
I shake my head. This isn’t really happening.
Payne holds up a hand. “I thought she needs to know she’s engaged. That’s pretty important.”
My mouth is hanging open. I wheeze out two words. “I’mwhat?”
“Easy, Sierra.” Anne moves closer to the bed.
My pulse is racing. I clutch at my chest and practically shout, “Fiancés know each other’s names!”
They both look very concerned now.
Colonel Payne tips his head. “Master Sergeant Strong.”
“Wh-who?”
As if Colonel Payne hasn’t just delivered a crushing blow, he casually smiles. “Strong is your fiancé.”
I snort out a laugh. Because clearly this is all a weird dream.
Neither of them as much as cracks a smile.
Anne makes the first awkward face. “Sierra, I’m sorry you got shocked. But it’s true.”
There’s a serious risk that smoke might come out of my ears. I wrap both my hands around my face. “I can’t have a fiancé.”
In an about face, Colonel Payne looks almost cheery. “Yes, you do. Master Sergeant Strong.”
I can’t breathe well, but I sure can talk. “How can I not remember I’m engaged? If I am…. surely we had sex. I’d remember that.” Heat erupts on my cheeks.
I motion wildly in the air. “If we are engaged, we had to say,I love you.I’d remember that too.”
My gaze rockets to my ring finger. My tone risesto a crazed cackle. “What about a ring? You can’t even tell I wore one!”
Payne taps the footboard with his fist. “You’ll know everything soon.”
Damn right I will. One way or another. Even if I have to run up and down the halls screaming.
I glare at them. When I finally get myself under control, I smooth my sea-creature hair with a shaking hand and inform them of my feelings. “I’m not sure I’m engaged.”
Both of them continue to look at me. Anne bites the corner of her lip.
Shit. I implore her with my eyes to tell me this is all a made-up story.
“Anne, help me.” I plead.
“It’s true.”
My brain officially breaks. I go instantly cold.
I whisper, “Leave. I need to be alone.”