Page 11 of Crazy in Love

When she grabbed his bicep to help steady him, a flash of electricity shot through his body. The Vicodin must be doing something weird to his system.

The wash basin was only a few steps away, so he left the cane propped next to Faith’s workstation and hobbled behind her. Which nearly killed him. Pain radiated up his leg, and he gritted his teeth.

She chatted frivolously about something or other, but he tuned her out. Between the medicine really kicking in and her soft hands massaging his scalp, his mind flitted off to Neverland.

After the final rinse, she went to retrieve his cane. And thank goodness. His pride wouldn’t let him ask for it, but he wouldn’t have made it back to the chair without it.

“Thanks,” he grumbled. She’d decorated her workstation with all sorts of what he would consider hippie stuff. A dream catcher. A sticker that read, “We are all stars and deserve to twinkle,” a red crystal, and a zodiac sign labeled, “Libra.” She might be as pretty as he remembered, but she was also just as nutty.

“Could I get a quarter inch off everything?” he asked.

“Got it. So, you adjusting to small-town life?”

“I haven’t been anywhere but my parents’ spare bedroom,” he said glumly.

“I’d go stir crazy,” she said, snipping away with confidence.

“Trust me, I’m halfway there.”

“Oh my gosh.” She stopped cutting abruptly, causing him to panic. Did he have a bald spot?

“I just had a great idea,” she continued. “Why don’t you stay with Tess for a while? She lives close enough to town that you could walk to the coffee shop or the diner. It would give you a little freedom.”

“I thought you and Tess were roommates.” No way he was shacking up with Faith.

“We are.” She resumed cutting. “But I’ve been staying with my dad since my mom passed. It’s gonna take some time before I can leave him on his own. You’re welcome to stay in my room.”

Tess must have overheard because she got up and walked over to where they were. “I feel like I should be a part of this convo,” she said.

“Oh, yeah,” Faith said. “I guess I should’ve run it by you first. Don’t you think it’s a good idea though?”

“But I’m never home,” Tess said. “Who will take care of him?”

“I’m right here,” Nick said. “And I don’t need twenty-four seven care. That’s what’s driving me crazy at Mom’s. She hovers and treats me like an invalid.”

“You sort ofarean invalid,” Tess said.

“I get better each day. And the doctor did say I should walk as much as possible. Your place is way closer to town.”

“So you want to do it?” Tess asked. Her surprise mirrored his own. Moving in with his sister wasn’t on his bingo card, but it beat the alternative.

He shrugged. “It’s fine if you work all day. I wouldn’t mind some alone time.”

“And you’re okay with it, Faith?”

“It was my idea, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. But sometimes you do stuff without thinking through the consequences.” Tess said it gently, but Nick sensed an underlying tension. Knowing Tess, and what a planner she was, that trait would drive her nuts.

“Ha,” Faith exclaimed. “Amara said there would be a man in my bed soon. She just failed to mention I wouldn’t be with him.” She laughed.

“Amara?” Nick asked. That didn’t ring a bell as any of Tess’s friends.

“My psychic,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Of course,” Nick muttered. “Who else?”

Faith rolled her eyes. “Andmy horoscope said I would be in a position to help someone today. Voilà!”

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