Page 71 of Dirty Politics

Was everyone staring at her shirt...or rather Will’s shirt on her? It felt like it.

Will sat beside her and examined her stitches; he was wearing a shirt again.

“They look good,” Will said. “I don’t think you’ll have a scar.”

Everyone else seemed to scatter after Will sat down.

“They all disappeared quickly,” Liv said, looking around.

“They are confused about how I know you,” Will said.

“And why I’m here?” Liv said, struggling to believe all this happened.

“I suppose.”

“I have some documents that Speaker Miller asked me to deliver,” Liv said. “They’re in my bag. I’ll get them.”

Liv started to stand up, but Will grabbed her arm.

“I’ll get it in a minute,” he said. You must have drawn the short straw to have to drive up here right before Christmas.”

“Sure looks that way,” Liv said. She stretched her wrist. It felt a little stiff.

“Is your wrist okay?”

“It’s just a little stiff. I think I hit it on the airbag,” she said. “I’m sure I’ll find some impressive bruises tomorrow.”

“I’m glad you're okay,” Will said, his eyes searching her face. “You scared me.”

“I didn’t do this on purpose,” Liv blurted out.

Will furrowed his brow.

“I mean...I wasn’t trying to ruin your Christmas or something,” she said.

He laughed. “That had definitely not crossed my mind.”

She sighed. “I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for except maybe ignoring my calls.”

She bit her lip.

“We don’t have to talk about that now, but the doctor wants you to stay awake for a while,” Will said. “Do you want to watch some Christmas movies with me?”

“You don’t want to be with your family?”

“I want to make sure you’re okay,” he said. “What aboutElf? Wanna watch that with me?

“Yes, that would be nice.”

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They watched moviesin front of the fireplace. Dr. Baker checked on Liv every hour. After several hours, he gave her the clear to fall asleep and promised to follow up again in the morning.

“Do you want to finish this movie?” Will asked.

“Sure,” she said, her eyes barely open.

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