Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“Dawson?”
My eyes fluttered open. For a minute I was confused. Was I having a dream that Naomi was in my bed? Then I realized I wasn’t home, and all of my clothes were still on. I dreamed better than that. I pushed up to my elbows and rubbed grog from my eyes. “What time is it?”
“It’s six thirty. I didn’t want to wake you, but I know you have to be in court this morning. I got home about an hour ago.”
Sun streamed in from behind her, causing me to squint. “How’s your sister?”
“She’s okay. Stable. They said she has a low platelet count from the chemotherapy, which makes it difficult for her blood to clot. Apparently she’s been throwing up for a few days, so she’s strained and bruised inside.”
I raked a hand through my hair. “Shit. What do they do for it?”
“They started her on a platelet infusion. That should help, but they’re going to have to discontinue her chemo for who knows how long, which stinks. She just wanted to put this all behind her again.”
“I’m sorry. That’s tough. You’d said your sister was sick, but seeing it and hearing it are two different things.”
“She’s been on the bone-marrow list for a few months, but now it’s more critical. Her body isn’t able to make the new blood cells she needs to fight infection anymore.” Naomi forced a smile. “Anyway, I don’t know how to thank you for everything you’ve done—driving me to Jersey to pick her up and then babysitting two kids you barely got an introduction to as I ran out the door.”
I winked. “I can think of a few ways to thank me.”
Naomi laughed. “I bet you can. But seriously, I really appreciate it, Dawson. Especially when I’d been giving you an attitude all day.”
I’d forgotten about her mood. It seemed like so long ago. “Is that what was wrong yesterday? You were worried about your sister?”
Naomi nibbled on her lip. “No.”
“What was going on then?”
“You were right, and I was pissed at you for it.”
My lip quirked. “I’m always right. You’ll have to be a little more specific.”
She chuckled. “You can’t make it easy, can you? Not even when I pulled the sick-sister card.”
“Nah. I wouldn’t be me if I went easy on you.”
“True.”
“So what was I right about?”
“Simon. He tried to kiss me.”
My jaw went rigid. “And you didn’t want him to kiss you?”
“I thought we were friends.”
“Did he back off when you told him no?”
She nodded. “He was good about it. It just pissed me off that you were right.”
“A man who is attracted to a woman isn’t her friend.”
“I still think you’re wrong, and that’s not always the case. But you were right this time.”
I dug into my pants pocket. “Hang on, let me get my phone out so I can record you saying that last part.”
She smiled again, and this time it reached her eyes. Naomi had momentarily forgotten about her sick sister, the two little kids she was going to have to take care of, the asshole she’d thought was her friend, and losing her license to practice law. It was a beautiful damn sight, her smile. And I wanted nothing more than to give that to her—even just a few moments of forgetting. Don’t get me wrong, I’d like to make her forget other ways, too. But I’d take what I could get.
Naomi yawned, and even though I would’ve rather stayed right here and told her jokes—do whatever it took to keep that beautiful smile on her face—it was a reminder that I needed to clear out. She needed sleep, and unfortunately, I had to get to court.
I smacked my hands on my thighs and pushed to my feet. “I should get going.”
Naomi stood, too. “Okay. I hate to ask for any more favors, but Molly and Ryder’s summer camps don’t start until nine thirty. Would it be okay if I worked ten to six today?”
“Take the day off. You haven’t even slept yet.”
“I’m good. I catnapped on a chair when my sister fell asleep. I just don’t have anyone to drop them off for me. Frannie’s going to call her sister-in-law to pick them up, so I can work later and still get the hours in. I just need to shift my starting and ending time a bit.”
“Do whatever you need to do. But I think you should stay home and get some rest. Go visit your sister later.”
“I’m really fine. And I can pop in at lunch to see her.” Naomi rested her hand on my arm. It made my barely awake body jump to life. “Thanks again, Dawson.”
“Anytime, babe.”
She walked me to the door. “I just thought of how I’m going to say thank you.”
“Oh yeah?”
“My mother’s coconut upside down cake. She used to make it all the time when we were kids. My sister has her recipe box. I’m sure it’s in there.”