Chapter 20
David had pulled up a chair early in the a.m. when Jennie had fallen asleep and wrapped her hand around his.
Jennie’s pain levels had been off the charts a couple of times.
Her whimpers had broken his heart. Only after she’d settled down and Brandon informed him of Adam’s death had David fallen into a deep sleep for a few hours.
The afternoon sun shone through the blinds. Aunt Emily had brought Zoey by to see her mom after they’d moved Jennie from an emergency bay to a regular hospital room. Jennie woke to reassure her daughter for a few minutes before exhaustion pulled her under.
“David?” He tore his gaze from the woman he loved and landed on Brandon.
“Yeah,” he whispered.
His partner slipped inside the room. “How’s she doing?”
“It’s been a rough day, but I think she’s finally resting a little easier now.”
“Glad to hear it. She’s one tough lady.”
David shifted his gaze to the battered woman next to him. “I could have lost her.”
“Yes, you could have, but you didn’t. And if the worst would have happened, it wouldn’t have been your fault.”
“I don’t know about that.” He shook his head.
“I do. I’m not sure I could have kept it together out there if it was the woman I loved. You did what you had to do. I am proud to call you my partner.”
Loved? Who was he kidding? Jennie and Zoey had become everything to him. “Thanks, man.” He lifted his hand and ran his fingers through his hair. Brandon was right. He had put it all aside and did his job. Because if he hadn’t, he would have lost everything again.
“So? Are you going to give yourself a break now?”
David scrunched his brow. “What do you mean?”
Brandon rolled his eyes. “Seriously? Mr. I-can’t-trust-my-own-judgement-when-someone-I care-about-is-involved.”
He exhaled. He had trusted his judgement out there, and his decisions had been the right ones.
Jennie being alive and breathing next to him was proof.
It hit him like a baseball bat across the back of his head.
He didn’t control life and death. He could only do what he thought was best under the circumstances.
“You’re right.”
Brandon snickered. “Say that again.”
David tried to smother a grin. “I said, ‘You’re right.’”
“That’s what I thought.” His partner beamed with mischief.
“I think I like you better when you’re wrong.” David huffed.
Brandon turned serious. “She’s gonna be okay?”
“According to the doctors, yes.” He rubbed his thumb along the back of her hand. “At least physically.”
“That’s a start. You both can work on the emotional once she recovers.”
“Assuming she forgives me for not telling her about the wristband.”
Jennie’s hand tightened on his. “She forgives you.”
David gently cupped her cheek, careful of her injuries. “I’m the one who’s sorry for overstepping.”
She leaned into his touch. “I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. You were only trying to help.”
Brandon cleared his throat, reminding David he and Jennie weren’t alone. “I’m going to…um…yeah, I’ll check in later.” His partner strode out of the room.
He returned his gaze to Jennie. “You really forgive me?”
She smiled, then cringed from the pain. “I do.”
David closed his eyes and thanked God he hadn’t messed up a future with this woman.
***
Sunday 11:00 a.m.
Sleep had done Jennie a world of good. Her aches and pains had dulled. But maybe that had something to do with the medicine flowing through her IV. More than that, her heart had settled since she and David had apologized to each other and had agreed on a fresh start between them.
“You look like you’re feeling better.” David sauntered in and took the seat he’d occupied since she’d woken up in her hospital room.
“I am. Still sore and don’t plan to move fast, but I’m happy to be alive.” The nurse helped raise her bed earlier that morning, making it easier to have a conversation. “Speaking of looking better, you’re moving easier.”
“A hot shower does wonders.” He clasped her hand in his. “Now that we’re both a little more coherent, I want to finish our discussion.”
“Which one?” She knew exactly what he meant, but she wanted—no, needed—to hear it again.
“I want to date you. Treat you the way you deserve.” David exhaled. “I’ll mess up again. I can guarantee that. We both have healing that needs to happen, but I want to do it together.”
Tears pooled in her eyes. No demands. Only a partnership. “My past will rear its ugly head, but I’m willing to fight for a relationship with you.”
A smile graced his handsome face.
“I do have a request.”
“And what’s that?”
“A kiss to seal the deal.”
He stood and leaned in. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t. I promise.”
His lips tentatively touched hers, gentle, testing at first. He deepened the kiss, making all her dreams come true. A man who respected her. Cared for her and her daughter. All without fear—only love.