Sweet Harmony (Harmony Falls #1) - Elizabeth Kelly Page 0,61
“Don’t panic, but I think your brother heard me tell you to get naked.”
“He did,” Gideon said.
“I’m about to be arrested, aren’t I?” Connor said.
Kira laughed. “No. I’m gonna walk Gideon out and then I’ll come back with some water for you. Stay in bed, Connor.”
“Yes, ma’am.” His slow grin and the way his gaze dipped to her chest, made her wish she could get naked and nap with him.
Instead, she patted his shoulder and stood.
“Thank you for carrying me up the stairs, Gideon,” Connor said. “I’ll cherish that moment always.”
“Yeah, don’t mention it.” Gideon glanced at Kira. “You sure you don’t need me to stick around for a bit?”
“No, I think we’re good. I’ll call you if I need anything though.” Kira shut the bedroom door with a soft click.
“What are you going to do with him tomorrow when you’re at work?”
Kira shrugged. “Not sure yet. I guess it will depend on how much pain he’s in and how bad the swelling is.”
“I can do a few drive-by’s and check in on him,” Gideon said.
“Thanks, Gideon.” Kira followed him down the hallway to the front door. “I really appreciate everything you did for him.”
“No problem.” Gideon paused on the threshold. “Did you tell Connor about your former crush on Daniel?” He accented the word former just a little, but it was enough to make Kira’s stomach clench.
“Uh…why do you ask?” she stalled.
“Seems a little weird that he’d be trying to convince me that he’s better for you than Daniel. Especially since you’re already dating him.”
She didn’t say anything, and Gideon leaned against the jamb. “Listen, I know it’s none of my business, but Connor seems like a great guy, even if he is from Willington. Don’t give up what you have with Connor for a guy who will never be good enough for you.”
Kira made herself smile at him. “Stop worrying about me and my love life. Okay? Maybe I should start worrying about yours for a change. You haven’t dated anyone since you moved back. Why not?”
Like she suspected he would, Gideon immediately straightened and stepped onto the porch. “Call me if you need me, kid.”
“Bye, Gideon.”
* * *
Kira stuck her head into the guest room. She’d been upstairs in the tub when she’d heard the thump-thud-thump of Connor’s crutches. By the time she’d gotten out of the tub and gone downstairs, Connor was out of the guest bathroom and back in the bedroom.
He eased back onto the bed and she frowned at him. “You should have called me. I could have helped you.”
He just shrugged. “I had it. It’s been a while since I’ve been on crutches, but apparently it’s like riding a bike.”
She could hear the bitterness in his voice, and she rushed over to the side of the bed, helping him to prop his leg up on the stack of pillows again. His face was pale and a little sweaty and after sleeping most of the afternoon away, the high from the drugs was long gone.
“I’m sorry, I know it hurts but I can’t give you any more pain meds until tonight before bed,” she said.
“It’s fine.” He waved off her concern. “The pain is manageable.”
“Is it?”
He nodded and she sat down on the side of the bed as he stared moodily at the ceiling. She waited a beat and then said, “I’ll bring you an ice pack for your knee and then I’ll start dinner. I’ve got a lap tray that I can bring in for you to eat dinner.”
“You don’t have to wait on me hand and foot,” he said. “I can eat dinner at the table.”
“Not for a few days,” she said. “It’s better to keep it raised as much as possible, which means bed rest. You heard Jack. You only get out of bed to use the bathroom.”
He grunted irritably and, still looking at the ceiling, said, “I don’t want to be a pain in your ass.”
“You aren’t,” she said.
Another bitter laugh. “You didn’t sign up for this and you’re not required to help me. Our relationship is fake, so -”
“I want to help,” Kira said.
“Or you feel obligated because people in this town think we’re dating, and you’ll look like a bad girlfriend if you don’t.”
“I don’t care what people think. I’m doing this because I’m a nice person and my friend is hurt and needs my help.” Now she was the one who sounded irritable.
“Is that what we are? Friends?”
She paused, feeling weirdly hurt. “You don’t think we’re friends?”