The nurse wrapped my ankle tightly, reminding me to keep weight off it. I nodded absentmindedly, my thoughts not on the injury but on Caden. His touch, his words, the way he looked at me—it all played on a loop in my mind.
When I finally hobbled out of the office on crutches, I wasn’t surprised to find Caden waiting for me, leaning casually against the wall. He straightened when he saw me, his expression softening.
“Didn’t think I’d let you limp around alone, did you?” he teased gently.
“I’m fine, Caden,” I said, though my heart betrayed me with a flutter.
“Yeah, you’ve said that a lot today,” he replied, taking the crutches from me and holding out his hand. “Come on. I’ll carry you again.”
My cheeks flushed. “I can manage.”
He raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk playing
