I nod and lean against the wall, waiting my turn as Susie leaves me alone. I’m taken off guard when a deep male voice talking in a gentle tone ripples out of that room.
“Would you rather swim with sharks or killer whales?” he asks.
“That’s too easy. Of course I’d rather swim with the whales. Who wants to swim with a big fish that tries to eat you?”
I smile to myself then peer into the room to see who has this orphaned girl in uncontrollable giggles. It’s impossible to miss the sight of Damian, sitting next to the bed of a little girl who can’t be older than eight. She’s lost her hair and her big blue eyes are round with wonder as his attention is focused solely on her. His feet are propped up on her bed, his shoes off and he looks relaxed and content.
His face lights up in amusement and he belts out a laugh. “Your turn.”
“Would you rather eat a chewed up piece of gum stuck to the bottom of a desk, or lick a dirty diaper?”
“Emily, that’s disgusting.” Damian’s forehead wrinkles with a horrified look, and I stifle a giggle.
Emily. He was going to meet an Emily the first day I’d met him.
“I never said this game was pretty, answer the question.”
“I’d have to say the gum.” The girl coughs and Damian is instantly on his feet, his voice laced with concern. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I just choked on a little of my spit.” His shoulders shake in silent laughter at her honesty. “Can I have another turn?”
Rubbing her back gently, he sits down. “Go for it.”
I’m holding my hand over my mouth trying not to laugh. Damian looks so big compared to this little girl and she’s got him completely wrapped around her tiny finger. Why has he never told me about her before?
“Would you rather walk around with no pants or no shirt?” the girl asks.
His lips turn up in a knowing grin. “No shirt. It seems to catch the attention of a pretty woman who lives next door to me.”
“That’s weird. Why would she want to look at you without a shirt?”
Ha! How is he going to get out of this one?
“No clue. She’s a difficult woman to figure out.”
“Well please don’t come in here without a shirt. That would be highly inappropriate.”
He straightens her pillow for her. “Don’t worry Sweet Pea, I will always have a shirt on when I visit you.”
She wipes the back of her hand across her forehead and sighs out a big, “Phew. I was worried for a second.”
They both giggle and my insides melt. Flooded with emotions for this man and immersed in a feeling of warmth that’s running through my veins. Clearly there’s been a physical attraction, but I’m mesmerized at his awesomeness. He . . . he’s magnificent in every way. “Excuse me ma’am, I need to get into the room.” A nurse says from behind.
“Of course. I’m so sorry.”
As I turn to leave them in private, Damian’s calm voice stops me. “Well, what do you know? Emily, this is my neighbor.”
Emily’s eyes grow wide. “Hi,” she says with a giggle.
I hesitantly step towards her, wondering if I should be wearing a facemask or protective gear so I don’t spread any germs to this sweet girl. But the nurse waves me in.
“Hi, I’m Addison.” I walk towards Emily and hold out my hand, she shakes it softly, her small fingers weak, her bones noticeable through her slight frame.
“Emily and I were just playing a round of Would You Rather? Do you want to join us?”
“I’d love to, but I have to get back to work. Can I take a rain check?” I can’t be here. I didn’t get any of the information Thomas wanted except that this girl is so lovely and she doesn’t need a family to adopt her when she has Damian to take care of her.
“What’s a rain check?” Emily asks innocently.
“It means she has to come back or something evil will happen to her.” Damian’s face is scrunched up and his teeth are bared like a villain. We both laugh at his silly face.
“Bye Addison. I’ll see you soon and you can tell me why you like Damian shirtless.”
The nurse covers her laugh with a cough and Damian sends a wink my way.
“I promise I’ll come back as soon as I can.” With a slight wave in Damian’s direction, I head towards the exit.