Chapter 10
680 Words
Nick had his arm around Mia, helping her walk slowly out of the hospital. She was shaky and unsteady on her feet, but she was looking better by the second.
“The fresh air is helping,” she said, her voice stronger already. “It’s clearing my head.”
“I’m glad.” He looked around for a taxi stand.
She stopped dead, and he stared down at her.
“Mia?”
“I don’t understand,” she said, her voice breaking. “What am I supposed to do now?” Tears were in her eyes suddenly. “I don’t have anywhere to go, I don’t have any money. I don’t even have my phone… I mean – I was in such a rush to get out of the E.R., I didn’t think this through at all.”
Nick was surprised at the wave of tenderness that came over him at the sight of her tears. “You’re going to be fine. I’m taking you to my place. You can get some rest there.”
“Your place?” The color was draining from her face again. “Nick, I don’t think –”
“I’m not going to hurt you, Mia. OK? I already called the cops, and gave them all my personal information, and they know where you’ll be. I swear, you’re going to be safe with me.” He gently touched her cheek, and she closed her eyes for a brief, beautiful second. “When you feel a bit better, we can think about checking you in to a hotel until your friends get back from the conference and you can get your keys, or your purse turns up. We’ll work it out, I promise. I'm making it my personal mission to make this all OK for you.”
“I don’t know – I’m not sure – it's an inconvenience for you...”
“Mia.” Nick's voice was firm and his eyes were slate, but his hands on her arm were careful, kind. “You are coming back to my place. No arguments.”
****
Mia looked around Nick’s apartment with a deepening and widening sense of unreality. How had she ended up going home with the world’s sexiest bartender, who she had met for the first time in her life just eight hours earlier?
His place was small and almost Spartan in its neatness: it was the most impersonal apartment she had ever seen. No photos, no plants, no art on the walls, no knick-knacks on the shelves. Just basic, sturdy furniture, and lots of books.
He had set her down on the functional sofa in the tiny living room, and was now moving around in what she assumed was the bedroom. He appeared in the doorway now, and she regarded him blearily as he stood in the dazzling morning sun. Nope, it hadn't been the knock to the head that had made her think it: he was actually the most gorgeous man that she had ever spoken to. Her life was very bizarre right now.
“OK, I’ve got everything ready in here.” He came over to her and gently helped her up. A dark wave washed over her, and she gasped.
Nick felt her sway on her feet, and he grasped her arms. “Mia? You still dizzy?”
“Yes…”
“OK, we’ll take it slow. I’ve got you.”
They had walked a few steps when it hit her where he was taking her. God, I’m so out of it. “Wait. Nick, wait.”
His dark gray eyes stared down at her. “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t sleep in your bed… I mean, this whole thing is weird enough already. I can’t – I can’t get into a guy’s bed I don’t even know!”
Nick gazed at Mia’s agitated face, and felt the wild urge to laugh. My God. How many women have fallen into my bed with no protest whatsoever? And most of them knew me for way less time than she has.
- Writer
