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“Take two. If the pain medicine doesn’t help, I can use athletic tape on your ribs to give them support while they heal. You have a choice of black or blue tape.” He frowned. “I think I have gray, too.”
Kristi opened a bottle of water. “You don’t have pink tape?”
“Not if I want to avoid being the punch line for jokes for months to come. My teammates are merciless. Sorry, kiddo, you’re stuck with boring masculine colors.” Jackson slid from the stool and placed a cookie on a small paper plate. “Eat this, then take the meds. I’m on watch for a few hours if you decide you want your ribs taped.”
She consumed the cookie and drank half the water before asking, “Does the tape hurt?” She popped two pain pills into her mouth and swallowed them with water.
“Only if you pull off the strips without taking a long shower first. You’ll remove a layer of skin with the tape.”
“Ouch. Definitely don’t want to do that. I’m already in enough pain.” She patted Jackson’s shoulder. “Thanks for the cookie and advice.”
“No problem.” He looked as though he wanted to say something else, then stopped.
She waited. When he remained silent, she said, “Go ahead. If I can survive kidnappers, I can handle what you want to say.” Probably. What if the medic warned her away from Rafe? Didn’t matter. She’d made her choice.
“I’m sorry for sounding surly earlier. My grouchiness doesn’t have anything to do with you dating Rafe. I’m happy he’s smart enough to recognize how special you are.”
Kristi relaxed. “Thanks, Jackson.”
“Look, our career is dangerous. Forming a relationship with an operative is challenging on good days and harrowing on bad ones. We’re careful, but sometimes our work follows us home.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Rafe lost a woman he loved to violence. He’ll be overprotective. Work with him. He’s not an overbearing, controlling jerk. He wants to keep you safe.” He shrugged. “That’s all I wanted to say. I’ll keep my opinions to myself now.”
She hugged Jackson. “Thanks.”
He patted her back. “Go back to work. You’re making me blush.”
Laughing, Kristi made her way to the workroom and dived into the next project. She perused various designs for a bride coming in this afternoon and narrowed down the list of possible dresses to six. This wedding, however, wasn’t for another six months. She had time to fine-tune the design for Faith.
An hour later, she exited the lounge with a client and saw Rafe standing at the end of the hall, looking at his phone. He glanced up and smiled.
Kristi’s heart went into overdrive. The Fortress operative was drop-dead gorgeous. She was in so much trouble. Rafe was winding invisible tendrils around her heart, and she was more than half in love with him. Of the men she’d dated, Rafe was the only one with the power to break her heart into a million pieces.
“Who’s the hottie?” whispered Aurora.
“Rafe, the man I’m dating.”
“Lucky you.”
Kristi laughed. “Why are you noticing his hot looks? You’re getting married in a few months.”
“Very true. I’m also not dead. I appreciate fine workmanship, and Rafe qualifies.”
Yes, he did. More important to Kristi than the attractive body and face was the heart of gold beating inside his chest. “Want to meet him?”
“Is the grass green?”
More laughter, this time from both of them. She and Aurora walked to Rafe. “Aurora Matthews, this is Rafe.”
He shook Aurora’s hand. “You’re here for a wedding dress consultation?”
“I am. Kristi and I have been friends forever, and she promised in high school to make my wedding dress when the time came. I’m happy to say I need her services.”
“Congratulations. When’s the big day?”
“December 31. We’re counting down the days.” Aurora turned to Kristi. “I have to go. I have an appointment with the florist in thirty minutes to talk about the flower arrangements. Rafe, I’m glad Kristi finally came up for air long enough to fall for you. Take good care of her.”
