Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 103356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
He stared down at her. “You can ask me anything. It would never be wrong. Unless you ask me to harm you. I won’t do that.”
“Lie with me,” she said quickly before she could chicken out. “I don’t feel safe unless you’re touching me.”
“Of course I will.”
He slid into bed next to her, lying on his back. She curled around him, putting her arm and leg over him.
It felt so nice to have someone hug her, touch her. She got the feeling that if Tanner was ever hers for good, she might become a bit addicted to touching him.
“What are you thinking?” he asked as he kissed the top of her head.
“Just that I could become addicted to touching you.”
He snorted. “Suits me.”
“You say that now. But I’d be a grade A clinger, hanging off you wherever you went, sitting on your lap, hugging you, holding your hand, the whole deal.”
“And I’d like that,” he told her firmly. “I get the feeling you haven’t been touched a lot by someone who cares about you.”
“Ryleigh is a hugger,” she said.
“I can see that. But that’s not quite the same, is it?”
No. It wasn’t.
“Go to sleep, baby. I’ll keep your nightmares at bay.”
33
“Where is the doctor? I need to get out of here. I can just discharge myself, right?” She felt antsy. Worried about getting home and then to her shift at the bar.
What if Ryleigh needed help with Kye? Had Opal gotten to her job on time?
“You won’t be doing that,” Tanner told her firmly. “Have some more of your protein shake.”
Lilac shook her head. She didn’t want the shake. She just wanted to get out of here. Tanner had helped her take a shower and get dressed. It was now getting close to lunchtime, and she had a shift starting in six hours.
Thankfully, Opal had thought to pack her phone charger, so Lilac now had access to her phone. It had been a bit of a shock to plug it in and have so many messages pop up. Most were Opal and Ryleigh, but there were also messages from Devon, Cherie, and Peggy. Those had nearly had her tearing up.
“But I need to get out of here.”
“Lilac, everything will be fine. Just relax.”
There was a knock at the door and the doctor walked in with Abby.
Thank God.
She smiled at them both even though she wanted to ask what had taken so long.
Be polite, Lilac.
“Good morning, Lilac. How are you feeling today?” Doctor Martin asked.
“I’m feeling really good. Ready to get out of here.”
The doctor smiled. “That’s good. Any dizziness? Feeling of weakness? Headaches?”
“Nope. I’ve been all good.”
“I’ve been keeping a close eye on her when she gets out of bed,” Tanner offered.
“I’ve heard you’ve been a big help,” the doctor smiled at Tanner.
For some reason, that made her want to frown. Was she feeling jealous? Of the doctor who had to be at least fifteen years older than Tanner?
Don’t be an idiot.
Besides, Tanner doesn’t belong to you.
Still, she felt like she needed to lay some sort of claim on him. It was an itch beneath her skin.
To her surprise, he placed his hand on hers. Immediately, she felt calmer.
It was so strange, sometimes his touch was calming. Other times, it excited her.
“The ultrasound came back clear. But your bloodwork showed that you are anemic and low in several vitamins. So, I’m going to prescribe iron tablets. And you will need another blood test in three months.”
Great. She had no idea where she would be in three months.
“I’d like you to consider talking to someone as well,” she went on in a kind voice. But it still made Lilac squirm on the inside.
Tell a stranger everything?
How could she possibly do that without endangering them? Without stripping herself raw?
Would there be anything left if she did that?
“How did the protein drinks go?” the doctor asked.
“They’re nice,” Lilac said in a cheerful voice.
Yep, she was gonna fake it until she made it out of there.
“It’s hard to get her to drink a whole one,” Tanner said. “Or to eat much more than a few bites.”
Shoot. What a tattletale. She glared at him.
“All right, the dietitian at the hospital is coming to see you soon so she can talk through some food plans.”
Crap.
“But I need to leave. I have to get home.”
The doctor studied her. “Your color is better. You seem more alert today, but I am worried about you. However, I’d be willing to discharge you if you promise to take it easy for at least a few days. No running. No work. Try to eat regularly, drink lots of water, and attempt to get rid of some stress.”
Right.
The only way to get rid of most of her stress was to kill Stefan.
Sure, she’d get onto that.
“Okay, I can do that,” she lied.
“Very well. After you’ve seen the dietitian, we’ll put through the discharge papers.”