Page 33 of Two Risks I'd Never Take Again

“Let’s get you inside before you turn into a fudgsicle.” He helped me up, then gathered the blanket into his arms.

With a mug in each hand, I started toward the stairs. “I’m going to take a quick shower and wash the chocolate off. Alone.” I added the last part, hoping to get a laugh.

“So, you’re saying that showering together isn’t okay for us as friends?” He winked. “Glad that’s been cleared up.”

Now I was excited about the rest of the week and even about the days beyond that. He’d listened to me unload my secret, and our friendship remained unchanged.

This week wasn’t so bad.

Chapter 10

Garrett glanced up from his magazine when I tapped his arm. “Yes?”

“Don’t forget to ask the doctor if it’s okay for you to take your brace off to shower.”

“Hopefully it is considering I’ve already done that, but I’ll ask.” He turned the page.

“And about how many times a day you should ice your hand to help the swelling. I’m not sure we’ve been doing that enough.” I’d written out a list of questions, then left the house without them, so I was trying to remind Garrett of all the questions that needed to be asked.

“I have a better idea. You ask the doctor. Come back there with me.”

I glanced at the receptionist, hoping she wasn’t eavesdropping on our conversation. “I’m not sure if they’ll even let me, Garrett. I’m not your... anything.”

“I’m pretty sure they aren’t going to ask about our relationship status, Tessa.”

A nurse stepped into a doorway. “Garrett Wright.”

Garret closed his magazine and laid it on the table. “That’s us.”

I walked toward the door, trying to figure out what explanation I’d give if the nurse asked why I was back there. Saying that I was Garrett’s caregiver for the week wasn’t a lie. Or I could go with a simpler explanation and tell her I was Garrett’s friend. Perhaps, I was overthinking this a bit.

We made it all the way back to the room without her asking us anything.

“The doctor will be with you in a moment.” She closed the door on her way out.

I didn’t even have time to remind Garrett about another question before the doctor walked in.

“Hello, I’m Dr. Palmer.” His eyebrows shot up when he saw Garrett’s face. “Looks like you ran into a bit of trouble.”

“I did.”

The doctor opened the folder in his hand and flipped through the pages inside. “Is this your wife?” He didn’t look up as he asked the question.

“No. Tessa’s here as a favor. I know I won’t remember everything.”

“All right then. Let’s have a look.” The doctor focused on Garrett’s scraped up hand. “Tell me what happened.”

“Someone slammed it against a brick wall. Then dragged it across the brick.” Garrett seemed so calm.

As he explained more of what happened to the doctor, I learned details that hadn’t previously been mentioned.

Dr. Palmer poked around, moving Garrett’s hand while trying to avoid touching the wounds. “We’ll need to x-ray that one. What about the other hand?” He pulled off Garrett’s brace and repeated the poking and prodding.

Garrett shot me a side glance. “Used it to stop my fall when I was tossed out of a truck.”

“Ouch.” The doctor scribbled in the chart, then stood. “X-rays will let us see what’s broken. The nurse will take you over there.” He closed the folder. “Any questions for me?”

“Can she go with me for the x-rays?” Garrett laid his hand on mine.

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