Chapter 10
Chapter ten
Patrick
I told him everything. It was stupid because I knew I was signing my pink slip in the romantic interest department—if Dr. Gray Eyes would ever have been into me in the first place. Paranoid delusions were on no one's list of the top-ten traits they were looking for in a boyfriend.
But I was at the end of my Christmas tinsel. I didn't know what to do. I'd tried scoffing at the curse, and I'd tried throwing Krampus away. It hadn't worked. And I was scared. Because I honestly didn't know what more could happen to me, or if I'd survive it.
Gray listened, his face serious, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.
It almost felt like we knew each other. It almost felt like he cared for real.
And not in a generic way either, not in a I'd-do-this-for-anyone way.
But as if he cared about me. And, damn, he was so handsome, and those eyes were so kind and warm.
"So you think this Krampus statue is cursed. And since you left here last time, your Uber driver threw you out, you were mugged by a drunk man in a Santa outfit, and then struck by a horse in the park." Gray repeated in a neutral tone.
"Yes. And I threw that thing away!" I jabbed a finger toward Krampus on the counter.
"I swear, I heard it hit the bottom of the trash can.
So there's no way it can be here. But it is!
It's just like that scene in The Changeling where George C.
Scott throws the little ghost boy's ball in the river and then it comes bouncing down the stairs!
" I covered my face with my hands. "Oh my God, this sounds so nuts.
I wouldn't even believe me. It's not like I can prove it. "
"Did anyone see you throw away Krampus?"
That hurt. I looked at him, stricken. "You think I'm lying?"
"No, no! I just mean, maybe someone saw you toss it and retrieved it for you, gave it to the Jims."
I shook my head. "There was no one around!" Something occurred to me. "Wait. I can at least…."
I patted my pockets for my phone, planning to show Gray the online stuff about the Krampus curse.
Then I remembered. "Arg! Santa has my phone!
Everything was in my backpack. My money.
My ID. My work badge. My keys." I slumped, defeated.
"Maybe you should commit me. At least I'd have a bed for the night. "
I felt very, very sorry for myself. A tear or two might have escaped. It had been a long, long day.
Gray leaned closer. “Patrick, you’re not alone. Okay?”
“I’m pretty alone.” My voice cracked.
“No. I’m going to help you. Now, is there any way you can get into your apartment? Maybe someone has a key? A neighbor?"
"No. I—" I thought about it. "Actually, the apartment manager is always home. She lives in the building next to mine. She knows me. She'd let me in."
"Okay. Good."
"But I don't have money for a cab."
Gray stood and stepped close to the bed.
He put a hand on my shoulder. It was a tender, comforting gesture, and it felt really nice.
His hand was so large and warm, it made my stomach swirl.
And when I looked up into those dazzling eyes, the doctor looked a little worried maybe, but mostly oh-so caring.
"I'm gonna wrap that foot and then, if it's okay with you, I'd like to drop you home myself. Make sure you get inside safely."
I blinked. "Really? You don't have to do that."
Gray lifted his shoulders in a can't-help-it gesture. "I'm off the clock in about ten minutes. And there's not an Uber or cab on Earth I trust with your well-being tonight."
"But it's Christmas Eve. There's no one waiting for you?"
Gray gave a tight shake of his head. "I had to work late, so, no, I didn't make plans."
Seriously? This gorgeous man had nowhere better to be?
The warmth in my stomach grew. A spark of hope returned and even a hint of the weird flirty thing I'd done earlier tonight. I batted my eyes. "I have a nice Christmas tree up, and the best Chinese takeout in the state is just a block away."
Dear God, had I really invited the hot doctor to hang out at my place? It was so unlike me to be that… Confident? Desperate? Stupid? It had to be the drugs.
Gray raised his eyebrows. "Um. Er. Sure. I mean, if that's…. But, listen, I don't want to impose. You should really just go right to bed and rest. And if you're not comfortable with having me as an escort, I'm happy to pay for a cab. Please, just say the word."
For the first time, he looked like the vulnerable one. And it struck me that he was putting himself out there. And I wasn't about to let him down.
I put my hand over his. "I am so, so good with it. That's the most generous thing anyone ever offered to do for me."
I could swear Gray swallowed hard. He dropped his hand and took a step back. "Okay then. Um. Just let me get those compression bandages and see where the nurse is with the crutches."