Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
ROSE
I’m conflicted when Ian walks into the room.
On one hand, I want to see him—he’s the person in Sleepy Hollow I know the best, I like him a lot, and he makes me feel inexplicably safe.
On the other, we’ve only been on one date. And I didn’t have the hospital in mind for our second one.
If we went out again, my hair would be freshly deep conditioned, and I’d wear that eyeshadow that makes my hazel eyes pop, and maybe I’d even buy a new outfit in that cute clothing shop around the corner from my studio.
My face wouldn’t be all swollen and bruised, a collage of violent purples and reds. My hair wouldn’t be a tangled nest of brown. My eyes wouldn’t be red from crying.
My hand wouldn’t be wrapped in a swathe of bandages, and I wouldn’t be wearing a hospital gown.
I wouldn’t be on the verge of tears, a headache pulsing behind my eyes from trying not to burst into hysterical sobs again.
But he’s here, and I don’t really want him to leave just because I’m feeling miserable and self-conscious.
Even if he looks so handsome, my breath actually catches for a second.
I already thought Ian was good-looking; probably the most attractive man I’ve ever dated. Tall and muscular, but not overly bulky—when Thea told me he was co-owner of a gym, that’s what I was expecting—instead all lean muscle from hours of martial arts practice. Which is incredibly sexy, when I think about it.
He has thick, medium-brown hair and a hint of stubble that accentuates the line of his jaw. His eyes are this gorgeous shade of blue, like a clear sky in the summer, and his features remind me of the sculptures I used to study for my undergrad art history courses.
Ian would almost be too good-looking if not for the slight crook in his nose, which he explained was from a broken nose when he was a kid. “My friend and I were practicing karate,” he told me with a rueful smile, “and he kicked me right in the nose. My parents wanted me to get it fixed, but I like it better this way. It’s a reminder to always pay attention when I’m sparring.”
The confident smile I saw on our date has softened into a more hesitant one. As Ian approaches my bed, his gaze sweeps across me, and I have to fight the urge not to dive under the covers and hide.
I’m hurt, I remind myself. A man broke into my studio, beat me up, and robbed me. My hand—the one I paint with—may never be the same again. Why am I so concerned about what I look like?
Still.
“Hey, Rose.” Ian moves to the side of my bed and touches my uninjured hand. “How are you feeling?” His brow creases. “Forget that. Of course you’re not feeling great. It’s a stupid question.”
“I’m okay.” Not really. “I’m on some pain meds; they make me a little sleepy, but they help. It’s better than before.”
“Good.” He strokes the top of my hand with his thumb. “I came last night. After my shift. But you were pretty out of it…”
“I remember.” Whatever the ER doctors gave me when I first came in was really strong, but I haven’t forgotten Ian sneaking into the exam room and holding my hand until one of the nurses chased him out. “Thank you for coming. I hope you didn’t get into trouble.”
“Nah.” One corner of his mouth twitches up. “Most of the nurses here know me. Just my luck to run into a new one who decides to be a hard-ass.” His expression sobers. “I would have stayed longer, but I had to get home to take care of Baxter. He’s a good dog, but if I leave him for too long…”
“It’s okay. I understand. I just…” My heart thuds hard, and my cheeks get hot. “Thank you for coming. Last night. And now… We only went out once; I know this isn’t the kind of thing anyone wants for a second date.”
Ian stares at me for a second. “Are you saying this is our second date?”
“No,” I blurt. “God. No. I didn’t mean…” My face is on fire. “It’s the medicine they’re giving me. I don’t know what I’m saying. Of course it’s not, we never even talked?—”
“Hey.” His voice softens, and his cool hand brushes my cheek. “I know what you meant. It’s not somewhere I’d pick for a date, either.”
Then he pulls his other hand out from behind him and holds a stuffed animal out to me. “But at least I didn’t show up empty-handed.”
Oh. For just a moment, all the other terrible stuff disappears.
My lips lift as I look at the stuffed bunny he gave me. It’s soft and fuzzy, with long, floppy ears and an adorable face, and I hug it to my chest instinctively. My voice throbs with emotion. “Thank you.”
Two spots of dull pink rise on his cheeks. “I stopped at the toy store on the way here. First I thought flowers, but then… if you’re hurting, you could hold this? The woman who owns the store said it’s a Jellycat; those are some of the softest stuffed toys. I’m not much good at buying gifts…”
“Ian.”
“Yes?” His eyebrows jump up.
“I love it. Really. And rabbits are my favorite animal. So it’s perfect.”
All his features smooth out. “Good.” After a beat, he asks, “So… how long are you in here? Are they letting you out today?”
“No. I have to—” My chest gets tight. “I’m having surgery later today. On my hand. So I have to stay at least until tomorrow.”
“Oh, Rose. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. At least…” My nose prickles. “At least the doctor thinks he can do something. My hand is really messed up. Five broken bones, and the tendons, and…”
Tears are pressing at the back of my eyes, and I can feel my face twisting as I try to keep them back.
“Ah, Rose.” Ian rubs my shoulder gently. “I shouldn’t have asked. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” But I’m sniffling now, and my voice is thick. I don’t want to cry in front of Ian again—I was already a complete wreck last night—but I’m not sure if I can stop it.
“Hey.” His tone rises. “I have some funny videos of Baxter. Do you want to see them?”
I nod at him silently, not trusting myself to speak.
So for the next few minutes, Ian shows me videos of his dog doing adorable things—pouncing on a laser pointer, performing for treats, and doing crazy dives into a lake. It’s enough to chase away the impending tears and even force a laugh or two.
“Thanks,” I finally manage. “He’s really cute. I’d love to—” I cut myself off.
There was never talk of an actual second date, after all. We texted, but Ian never mentioned it, and I was too shy to bring it up. He could be here just because he feels bad for me, or out of some weird sense of responsibility since he helped me last night.
“What?”
“I—”
But I’m interrupted by a concerned voice saying, “Rose! I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner. I just heard you were in here.”
Thea stands in the doorway and casts a scolding look at Ian. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Ian blinks. “I didn’t know I was supposed to?”
She makes a little face at him. “Honestly. You guys.” Then she looks back at me and smiles. “I’m here to help with anything. Sneaking in food from your favorite restaurant. Keeping you company. Do you need anything from home?”
“I’m keeping Rose company,” Ian retorts. “And I brought her a gift.”
Thea glances at the stuffed rabbit and her smile returns. “True. And that bunny is really cute.” She joins him by my bed, and her gaze falls to where his hand is still on my shoulder. Her eyes light up, and she says, “I can come back later, though. Let you two spend some more time together.”
Ian stiffens and his hand drops from my shoulder. “No, I’ll go. I have to check in at the gym, anyway.” To me, he adds, “I have a busy day of classes, but I’ll text you later, okay? And I’ll stop back tomorrow. You’ll let me know if you need anything?”
What I really want is for him to come back later, after this terrible surgery is over, but I won’t ask him that. He’s already done more than enough for me. “Okay,” I tell him quietly, forcing a smile. “Thanks for coming. And the bunny. And… just everything.”
“Of course.” He returns my smile. “I’ll see you later, Rose.”
And then he makes a quick exit, taking all the air out of the room with him.
“I’m sorry,” Thea says softly. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. Or chase Ian out of here.”
“You didn’t.” Whatever made Ian rush away wasn’t Thea’s fault. I think it has more to do with the reason he didn’t bring up another date—not after the first one, or the dozen times we texted afterwards.
But that’s too much for me to think about right now, given my ruined studio, the memories I’m trying desperately to suppress, and the looming surgery that could determine my future.
I can tell myself that, at least.
But my foolish heart has other ideas, and I miss Ian even though he’s only been gone for a minute.
“He doesn’t date.” Thea glances at the empty doorway for a second. “Ian’s just… well. Not that there’s anything wrong with him. I wouldn’t have set you up otherwise. I just thought…”
“It’s okay.” I pat her hand; in a weird incongruity, I’m comforting her instead. “It’s fine. He has to work. And I’m glad you’re here.”
It’s true. While Thea is more outgoing than me, there’s something about her that makes me feel at ease. Just like Ian.
“Of course!” She brightens. “I hope it’s okay that I came. Cash mentioned something to Ben—he’s my fiancé and works at the ambulance corps—about what happened last night. Not the details, of course, but that it was the studio, and then I realized… anyway, I just wanted to see you. I remember being in the hospital, and it was really overwhelming.”
“Thanks. Not knowing anyone here—I’ve been so busy, and I’m not very social…” I trail off, feeling off-balance and uncertain.
“Well, you know me. And Ian.” Thea squeezes my arm lightly. “And once you’re out of here, you’ll meet Ari, too. And Cash. And my Ben. Plus Laila—she’s going to be my stepdaughter soon—is probably already working on a card for you. If there’s anything you need, we’re all here for you.”
It sounds a little overwhelming, honestly. Ian or Thea one-on-one is one thing, but all those people? I’m not sure I’m up to dealing with that on top of everything else.
But there’s no way I’m telling Thea that I’d rather not ask complete strangers for help. So I settle on a more ambiguous but still truthful answer. “Thank you, Thea. I’ll let you know. And the card from Laila sounds lovely.”