Page 66 of Mine to Hold
“No. Curious is more like it.”
“She actually went to Emmett’s senior formal. So, me dating her would have been weird, especially because I think they had sex.”
“Think or know?” she asked, reaching for the water.
“He’s never confessed and neither has she.” Emmerson took a napkin and wiped the few drops of water that dribbled down her chin.
“So, tell me, how did you get shot in the thigh?”
Everything was so easy with Rumor. Here she was, lying in a hospital bed after major surgery, sleeping for hours, and she was chatting away like it was nothing.
He loved that about her.
He loved everything about her.
But this wasn’t the right moment to tell her.
It had to be perfect.
“I got called to a domestic disturbance call about eight years ago. It happened to be Janet. I got between her and her ex-husband and he shot me.”
“You took a bullet for another woman?”
“Oh my, someone is jealous.” He batted her nose.
“No. I’m just wondering if this is a thing.”
“I try not to, but my job is to protect and serve. It’s a hazard of the job, which is mostly boring and I’m hoping to never get shot at again. Or have to see my girlfriend crumpled on the floor with a gunshot wound to her abdomen. I can’t say that I liked that very much.” He ran his thumb over her lower lip. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t prevent that from happening. I tried. I really did. If I could have taken that bullet, I would have.”
A tear rolled down her cheek.
He wiped it away.
“You did everything you could to save us both.” She cleared her throat. “I want to go back to this girlfriend thing you managed to slip in.”
“Ah. That,” he said. “I thought it was a given. Have I misread something?”
“As long as you keep shaving, I’ll consider you my boyfriend.”
“I’ll do it twice a day if that’s what it takes.” Maybe it was the right time. But before he could get the words out, the doctor pulled back the curtain.
It would have to wait.
15
Rumor took Emmerson’s hand as he helped her from the front seat of his personal SUV.
“You okay?”
“Hurts like a motherfucker. But I’m fine.”
He chuckled. “Come on. Let’s get you in bed and I’ll make you some eggs.” He guided her toward the main house.
“I live in the pool house.” She arched a brow.
“Not while you’re recovering, you don’t.” He opened the front door. “There is no way you could get in and out of that Murphy bed. Besides, I still have another eight days off work. I’m going to be your nurse for that time.”
“I don’t want you hovering. I can…” She groaned. “…take care of myself.”
