when the time comes that you don’t want me anywhere near you.”
She smiled a little. “I like having you around, so I doubt that will happen.”
I wished that were true.
“Okay. Now shut up and get some rest.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Rose
The next few days I spent at the hospital were hard. More tests and doctor visits resumed, and I felt like I was about to lose my mind. I’d never appreciated the outdoors as much as I did in that hospital room.
The only good moments came at night, with Jack.
I wasn’t sure if I was feeling extra vulnerable because of the surgery and my sickness, but what I was starting to feel for him seemed like it was tripling every night we spent together in that spacious hospital room I couldn’t possibly have afforded on my own.
It was the second or third night, I was having trouble sleeping because of all the mouth breathing I had to do, and I just couldn’t get comfortable with the fact that I couldn’t breathe through my nose.
The room was dark when he spoke, and the world outside my room was quiet other than the footsteps of the nurses walking by to check on patients every now and then.
“You’re not sleeping,” Jack said quietly. It wasn’t a question.
I had my back to him because I wanted him to get some sleep and not have to worry about me. He worried about me quite a lot, and just realizing that fact had made me so extremely happy. I rolled over slowly, making sure I wasn’t lying completely on my side and my head was tilted toward the ceiling.
It wasn’t completely dark in the room, not with all the city lights and the light slipping in underneath the door from the hallway, but it wasn’t as clear as day either. He was lying on the couch, his legs crossed at the ankles. He was wearing pants and a thin, navy blue sweater, which were his casual clothes. I didn’t know why he didn’t wear something more comfortable.
“No,” I replied. “But I’m trying.”
“Do you need anything?”
“No. Thank you. Are you okay there?”
“I’m fine. Try to go to sleep.”
We were silent for a long time. I was staring up at the ceiling when he spoke again.
“It started snowing.”
I rolled my head and looked out the window. Sure enough, you could make out the white flurries flying around. It looked beautiful, and if it held, the city would be covered in white. Winter in NYC was my favorite time of the year, and Christmas would arrive soon—not that I’d be up and running then, but still…Christmas was coming.
“First snow…it’s beautiful. I wish we could go outside and actually feel it. I love snow.”
“There will be more.”
“Jack? Can I ask for something?”
“Of course.”
Before I could even say what I wanted, he was up and by my side. I looked up at him in the dark. I couldn’t make out his features clearly, but I was sure he looked amazing. He always did. He was always so put together, and more than that, there was something about the way he carried himself, so confident and aloof. It pulled you in and kept hold of you. The fact that he looked like a movie star—a really grumpy one—was just an added bonus.
“Do you need water?”
He ran his fingers through my hair and waited for me to answer. He’d been doing that a lot the last few days, which was why I didn’t think he’d turn me down when I made my next request.
“Could you lie with me?” His fingers stilled in my hair. “I know it wouldn’t be comfortable, but just for a little while.”
“Are you cold?”
“Nope.”
Before he could say no, I scooted back to give him a little space. Thanks to the private room, the bed wasn’t as small as the usual hospital beds. Without another word, he lay down next to me.
I turned to my side.
“You’re supposed to lie on your back, not on your side.”
“Thank you for reminding me, doctor, but the back of my head is tingling, and I can barely feel my head. I’ll just stay like this for a few minutes, that’s all.”
He finally turned his head to look at me. “How are you feeling?”
“Better. I don’t have much pain, which is surprising. The headaches aren’t so bad either. I think I could go home.”
I noticed his lips moving up an inch. “Not so fast. We’re here for a few more days.”