Page 40 of The Lost Melody

“Sugar, junk food, and salt,” she says, glancing up. “Lennon, these are kind of red and pissed off. I’m going to do the antibiotic shot. It won’t feel good but…”

“Do what you gotta do,” I shrug. “I have a high tolerance for pain.”

“That’s not something to be proud of,” Miranda sighs as she grabs the needle and antibiotic from her bag.

I shrug, because it doesn’t change anything.

“Lavender,” Turner says, and I shift toward him, happy to ignore the big ass needle.

“Yes, love,” I smile.

He gives me a dopey smile and I giggle.

“What?” I ask.

“I’m just so happy you’re here, is all. Greg is here and wants to talk to you. Do you want to see him?”

I feel Miranda’s hand on my leg, and force myself to ignore it.

“Yes, I do. I would kill for a shower first, though. And food. Seriously, I would love a spinach and mushroom omelet,” I insist.

I feel the needle pierce my skin, and I wince slightly. She’s done before I know it, pressing gauze to the injection site for the drop of blood that typically escapes.

“I think an omelet is a good choice,” Miranda agrees, packing up her things and removing my IV as well. “I’ll go let Roark know.”

She leaves quickly, and my brow furrows.

“Turner, did I do something to Miranda?” I ask, turning to face him.

“No, beautiful, I think she’s being extra careful to respect your space. She knows nurses aren’t your favorite people,” he explains.

“Oh. I mean I know she’s not someone who hurt me, nor would she. I may not have known that when I was hallucinating earlier, but I definitely know now,” I say, exasperated.

I can’t live my entire life traumatized by nurses, can I?

“This is one of the many reasons I love you,” he chuckles, sweeping me into his arms, and climbing off the bed. “Let’s shower and then you can eat and talk to Greg. Lots has happened since you’ve been asleep, Sleeping Beauty.”

I snuggle into his arms, thinking he’s right. I have a lot to catch up on.

10

ROARK

Ihave all of this nervous energy, so when I feel like this, I bake or cook. It’s two in the afternoon, and Miranda chose to let Lennon sleep instead of waking her up.

While I applaud this decision, I miss her. She’s in the house, she’s safe, and it’s ridiculous… I think I’m going to be a bit attached to her for a while.

“You really cook when you’re stressed, don’t you?” Orion says in surprise as he strolls into the kitchen.

I snort, shaking my head as I make the omelet Miranda told me Lenny was craving.

“That’s the understatement of the year, O. I cook when I’m happy, stressed, or just need to do something. If you’re hungry I have muffins, Irish shortbread squares, soda bread, apple cake, and a French toast casserole that’s in the fridge,” I tell him.

Orion approaches one of the shortbread squares curiously. I turn my back so he won’t see my smile.

It’s not going to bite him.

I’ve always loved cooking all kinds of food, and when I left Ireland, I broke into my mother’s fancy house when she was out with her posh husband, and stole all of my grandmother’s recipes. She didn’t deserve them.

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