Page 60 of Heart Strain

“I wish that, too.” I can hear the smile in his voice. “Are you okay? At least you have Gavin with you tonight.”

“That’s not the same thing at all.”

He’s quiet for a moment, then, “Do you need me to come over?”

“No. I’d love that, but don’t be ridiculous. Your cats need you, and I think my best friend needs me, too.”

“What if… what if you stay the night here after Gavin leaves?”

At the thought of spending another night with Jameson, heat pools in my belly and I have to hold in a groan. “That sounds like a good plan.” My voice sounds way huskier than usual.

He chuckles a little. “Good. It’s a date.”

I grin, then glance around the dark living room. “I’ll let you go back to sleep. Thanks for calling me.”

“You can call me anytime, Holds. I mean it; anytime.”

“Thank you. Good night, Foxy. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Night, Holds.”

I hang up before I decide that I can’t put the phone down, then I lie down on the couch and cover myself with the throw blanket so I can sleep, but my phone beeps.

Jameson: Goodnight, Holds. I’m here if you need me. Anytime.

I smile and text back.

Me: Night, Foxy. Sleep tight.

Me: I’m here if you need me, too.

Jameson: I know.

I grin at my phone, then close my eyes.

* * *

After getting ready,I drive over to Jameson’s with Peanut and Gavin in tow so we can drop off my dog and get into Foxy’s car and head to the hospital. Gavin hasn’t seen Drix since he woke up, but they’ve met a few times over the years when Drix visited me in Ithaca.

I park in Jameson’s driveway, then get out of the car with Peanut on his leash and Gav following behind. Jameson opens the door before I even knock. “Hey.”

“Hey.” I grin at him, but I feel a little dumb since I was a weirdo with him last night.

As soon as everyone’s inside and the door’s shut, Jameson steps into my space, cups the back of my head with both hands and leans down to kiss me. I easily melt into him and wrap my arms over his shoulders, soaking up his flavor with my tongue as he steals my breath away. He tastes like toothpaste, but there’s still that Jameson flavor that I love underneath. The way he’s holding my head and leaning into me feels even more intimate than the kiss itself. It’s a heady feeling that I could easily get used to.

He breaks the kiss and gazes into my eyes, whispering, “You okay today?”

I nod because I’m breathless from his sweet mouth.

He rubs my cheeks with his thumbs and smiles at me. “Good. Let’s go get our coffee.” He steps away, taking his heat with him.

I nod again even though I want him to move back over to me, but then I sense Gavin standing there, so I take a deep breath and clear my throat. “Okay, let’s, uh… let’s go.”

Gavin giggles like a jerk, but after we check that the pets are all good, he follows me out to Jameson’s car, and all three of us get in, then head to Dunkin Donuts for our coffee.

When we walk into the hospital, Jameson grabs my hand, threading our fingers together as we walk through the halls. I notice Luwanna grinning at us when we get our visitors passes, and right before we walk away, she winks at Jameson. I don’t know what that’s all about, but I chuckle because Jameson’s cheeks flush.

Once we’re out of earshot, I ask, “Is there something you wanna tell me?”

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