Page 52 of Manhattan Heart

I sober when he starts to laugh because he wrenches his chest and winces. All my panic comes back and I roll up to my knees. “India, I’m good.” he says. But he doesn’t look good. He looks like he’s in pain. “Should I get you some pain meds?”

He frowns then sighs. “No, lie down with me, let’s go to sleep.”

I guess our baby talk is over.

In the dark I curl up with him, his hand is on my butt. Mine is over his heart.

He knows what I’m doing, measuring the beats, because he says. “I’m fine, baby.”

“Is this my heart?”

“You know it is.”

“Then let me feel it talking to me.”

The smile is in his voice. His hand covers my hand. “Okay, baby. Get some sleep. I love you.”

“Love you more. And Gray?”

“Yeah?”

“If you ever do want a baby…”

“I have everything I need right here.”

My insides are lovely and warm with reprieve.

My brain is still in worry mode but he does appear fine.

I kiss him on the side of the neck, keeping my face right there. “My lovely boy.”

My last thought before I drift off, is picturing a little boy with black hair and gray eyes and the sweetest little smile.

He would be such a lady killer.

C H A P T E R 16

Gray

I’ve just had a nurse no older than an internet teen star poking around in the hole in my chest like she was mining for diamonds.

And now my wife is hovering because I happened to have winced slightly.

She thinks I don’t notice.

But there’s nothing about India I don’t see.

She’s my religion. My hobby, my entertainment.

Not only is she hovering nearby, she’s taken time off from work to look after me.

I love her near.

I’d love it if she was with me all the time. At home and at work.

Fucking love it in some caveman way. Knowing my sugar baby wife was nearby would make me extremely happy. But I know her job is important to her right now.

“Did you take the pills I set out for you on the counter, Gray?” She asks.

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