Page 61 of Jam and Jingle Bells
“I can’t make this up,” I agreed. “They convinced this guy to come and guest teach at the studio this week. Apparently, he’s a real favorite with the old ladies in Saginaw.”
He kept shaking his head. “Addie, no, honestly, no. I’ll close it down for a few days and then I’ll just do kid classes the rest of the week. It will be fine.”
“I think that ship sailed, but I have his number and you can call him and possibly try to talk him out of it. I’m sorry, I tried, but you know Audrey.”
He laughed and groaned at the same time. “She’s like trying to steer a bus without a wheel. It just goes where it wants to.”
I pointed at him. “Exactly like that. Now, maybe you should take a nap and then we’ll have some lunch.”
He turned into me and caressed my cheek, holding my eyes. “You’re still worried about me.” I nodded, my chin trembling to give away how much. “You heard the doctor. The leads were fine, it was just the device that was bad. This is a short recovery and there were no lasting effects on my heart. Please, try to relax,” he whispered, letting me rest my head on his shoulder while he rubbed my back.
“I’m trying,” I said over a shaky breath. “I’m not sure my heart has started yet after that car ride yesterday.”
“You have to remember you kept your cool and got me where I needed to be. I wasn’t going to bite the dust on you. I had too much to stick around for. Like sweet kisses in the dark and the promise of so much more.”
I nodded, entranced by the sweetness of his eyes. “I’m new to all of this.”
“All of this? All of what?”
I sat up and sighed. “Being in love, living with a guy, and loving someone who could leave me too soon.”
He shook his head. “No, I’m not going anywhere. This was an unusual circumstance, Addie. If I hadn’t been kicked in that one specific spot, the device never would have malfunctioned like that.”
“The doctor said those devices had issues. Did he tell you that?”
He chuckled and ran his hands through his hair. “He did and I was relieved to know I was getting a replacement on the company’s dime. They’re almost thirty-five grand, Addie.”
My eyes bugged out and I swallowed, hard. “You have insurance, right?”
“I do, but I have to pay twenty percent. Even that is better than what it would cost me without. I put my dad’s life insurance policy in a high yield account. It should cover my medical expenses for the rest of my life, barring anything massive happening.”
“That’s good news. At least this replacement won’t cost as much. The doctor said it should last ten years, right?”
He crossed his fingers. “As long as I stay away from toddlers with snow boots.” He kissed my nose jokingly. “Every year that passes means another year where they may find a way to cure my arrhythmia. Right now, they can’t, but that doesn’t mean it won’t change in the future. Do you think you can get used to living with and loving a guy whose heart is a little mashed up?”
I kissed him, his lips warm under mine and his tongue silky as I stroked it. He was barely breathing hard when I pulled away, which I thought was a good sign.
“If you keep looking at me with those giant orbs of chocolatey goodness, I’ll be used to it in no time.”
He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it. “I’m glad, because I’m already used to loving a woman who is strong, beautiful, independent, and the best damn kisser in Bells Pass.”
“Maybe we should practice more,” I whispered, bringing my lips to his, “you can never have too much practice.
I trudged up the stairs at nearly six, covered in hair and holding my hand wrapped in a towel. I pushed the door open to my apartment and Ellis was sitting on the couch watching a game. At least the television was finally getting used.
“Hey,” I said, going straight to the kitchen, holding my left hand with my right. “How was your day?”
He was behind me before I knew he moved, holding my waist. “The better question is, how was your day. It looks like it went downhill since I saw you an hour ago.”
I unwound the towel and dropped it in the sink, turning the water on to run. “Slipped with the shears on the last cut,” I explained, watching the blood run down the drain and grimacing at the sting of the water.
“Addie, that’s deep. I think stitches are in order. Let’s wrap it back up and I’ll get your coat.”
I chuckled, shutting the water off and grabbing a paper towel to wrap around my finger. “Ellis, if I went and got stitches every time I cut my finger, I’d never have time to work.”
“Addie, I could see the bone.”
I bent the finger gingerly and while it hurt like sin, it moved. “See, no tendon damage. A few steri-strips and I’m back in business. Would you grab the first aid kit from under the sink?” I asked, stepping aside. He bent down and came up with the white box then opened it on the table.
