Page 12 of Hail Marry
She shows a smile of clenched teeth. “I didn’t call anyone. I just freaked out a little when I realized I’d hopped in the car with a stranger who weighs twice as much as me.”
“Can we stop with the fat jokes? I don’t weigh twice as much as you.”
“Who’s telling fat jokes? Have youlookedat your biceps recently?” Her gaze sweeps to my arms. “Maybe your gigantic shoulder muscles obscure your view of them.”
I try to ignore the zing of pleasure her compliments send through me. I work hard to stay fit. It’s all been part of the plan. Which failed.
“Anyway,” she says, fiddling with her fingers, “that’s what happened. I just didn’t want Tyler to run to Ryan and tell him how lame I am. So”—she smiles at me—“now you know my physicalandemotional trauma.”
I don’t say anything for a minute.Lameisn’t a word I’d use to describe the woman in front of me. Unpredictable, absolutely. “Your ex sounds an idiot.”
Her gaze snaps to mine. After a second, she laughs. “He’s actually really smart. Top of his class in law school.”
I shrug. “There are different types of smart. Top-of-your-class in law school just means you’re good at being a self-important jerk.” I may be exaggerating, but the entire legal profession isn’t on my nice-list today.
Victoria’s mouth pulls into a dazzling smile. “Heiskind of self-important. And a jerk.” Her smile dims, and she tips her head back, staring at the ceiling as she sighs. “But that doesn’t excuse what I did. I had no idea you were famous, or I’d have corrected Tyler’s assumption. I’ll find a way to tell him the truth.” She looks a little green at the thought.
“It’s okay.” I can’t bring myself to force her to go through the humiliation of admitting she lied about having a fiancé. “Don’t worry about that. Just focus on resting.”
“Not until I’ve eaten that burrito.”
I grab the bag, which I’d completely forgotten about in the chaos of getting fake-engaged. “Right. It’s got everything on it, like you asked.”
“Come to mama,” she says, wiggling her fingers with her eyes on the bag.
It does smell pretty good, but I don’t have much of an appetite right now.
My phone buzzes, and I glance at the screen. It’s Zach. Again. I blow out a breath. I’ve delayed the inevitable long enough.
“You really can go,” she says. “You’ve done more than enough for me today.”
I search her face for any sign she’s just being nice and would actually rather have company, but she seems like a capable adult—near-death experience notwithstanding.
“If you’re sure…” I say.
“Positive.”
I nod, still feeling hesitant. It seems like she should havesomeonewith her, like the doctor said. “How will you get home?”
“I’ll manage, Callahan. You heard the doctor: I’m fine. And my car isn’t that far away.”
I smile slightly. “I dunno. There are a lot of streets to cross between here and there...”
She narrows her eyes at me. “I’d punch you in the arm right now if you were closer.”
I take a few steps toward her and offer my right arm.
She stares at it like she’s trying to decide where to land her punch. “I feel like I’ll end up breaking a finger, and then you’ll make me get an X-ray, so consider yourself lucky. I’ve got a mean right hook.”
“I’m sure you do.” I glance at my phone, but Zach’s call is long gone now. “I promised your doctor friend I’d keep an eye on you. Can I check in on you?”
She shrugs and puts her burrito on top of the plastic bag. “Sure.”
I hand her my phone, and she saves her number in it.
I head for the door with the uncomfortable knowledge that I’d actually rather stay here than face what’s ahead of me. But it’s just delaying the inevitable.
“Hey,” she says once I’m holding the door handle.
