Page 82 of Game Change

“Of course, you slipped because you wear those ridiculous heels in the ice and snow.” I touch her ankle, and she howls. “Ouch,” she says as she moves her foot away from me.

“Why didn’t you call me?” I ask again. I gently rub her ankle, and although she winces, she doesn’t move.

“Because you were busy, and I’m fine,” she whispers. “Why are they in here?”

I ignore the question about Uncle Milton and Heath and eye the man standing up and looking down at us. “You can go,” I say. “Heath, can you see this man out, please?”

“And miss whatever’s going on here? Hell, no. Sir, go down the hall and take a left,” Heath says. “Why are you rubbing her ankle, though? We don’t like her, remember?”

“I’ll get you some ice, baby,” I whisper. “And enough with the stilettos on the icy sidewalk. You need snow boots.” I stand, ready to get the ice because I know Heath won’t do it, but Ernestine walks in with a zip-lock bag full of it. She stops short when she sees us in the office.

“Where’s that sexy Black cowboy?” she asks as she looks around. “I got you some ice.” She looks around again, clearly confused as to why we’re here. Heath is leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, and Uncle Milton is standing there with a smirk.

“I’ll take that.” I snatch it from her and put it on Brynne's ankle, which is swollen. “I’m going to take you to get that looked at.” I lift the bag, and without another word, I pick her up bridal style.

“What are you doing?’ she whispers.

“What the hell is going on?” Ernestine asks. “Put her down.”

“I’m taking her to go get an x-ray, and I’m taking her home,” I say as if it’s the most obvious thing on earth. “And if you ever have another man carry you for any reason, we’re going to have some serious issues.”

“First of all, can you put me down?” Brynne asks.

“No,” is all I say.

“Second, Heath is going to blab this to everybody,” she says. “You’re outing us.”

“I am because you’re hurt, and no one called me.” I step out of her office with her in my arms.

“It’s not that bad, and I can take care of myself,” she whispers.

“Well, you don’t have to. That’s the entire point of being in a relationship. I’m here to do that, but you’re so stubborn that you don’t see it.”

“That’s how all women are, Paddy,” Milton says.

“Relationship?” Ernestine practically yells.

“With her?” Heath asks as if the idea of being with Brynne is unimaginable.

Everyone is now milling in the hallway, and they all pause and stare when they see us. “Brynne and I are a couple,” I announce to everyone. “We’ve been for weeks. So, if she’s ever hurt and no one here bothers to call and tell me, I will fire all of you.”

Everyone stares without saying a word. “Heath, call our family doctor and tell them I’m coming in.”

“Okay, Uncle Paddy,” he says, and I feel Brynne tense in my arms. “I mean, Mr. Kincaid,” he says with a blush spreading across his cheeks. “Not Uncle Paddy. Mr. Kincaid.”

“God dammit, Heath,” I growl.

“I knew it,” Ernestine says. “That’s why he acts like he’s invincible.”

“Put me down,” Brynne hisses.

“No. Your ankle is hurt.”

“Heath is your nephew?” she asks. When all I do is nod, she says, “Milton, why didn’t you tell us that you’re related to Heath?”

“I didn’t want him to have any special treatment,” Uncle Milton says. “He’s a good kid, and I didn’t want everyone to think he was just handed a position.”

“Well, he’s been rude and unbearable,” Ernestine says. “And that’s on his good days.”

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