Page 77 of When We Were Young

My tears are slowing.

“Really? That’s what you recall out of everything I said there? That I think you’re attractive?”

“I mean, yeah. That was the most important thing you said, except that you were in pain.”

I roll my eyes at him. “I’m not an idiot, Holden. I know I haven’t been in town long, but I’ve already heard about your reputation. So, don’t let me stop you. If you want to get one of their numbers, go for it.”

I hate the bitterness I hear in my voice, but what I despise even more is the wince that flashes across his face at my words.

He’s about to say something, opening his mouth, when a nurse walks in and smiles at him, then looks at me.

“Name and date of birth, please.” Her tone is a bit sharp, and I’m guessing her coworker spilled the beans on my bit of sass from a little earlier.

“Lizette Winslow, July 8, 1993,” Holden chimes in. I look at him, my jaw dropping. He remembers my birthday.

“Is that accurate, ma’am?”

“Yes,” I tell her, never taking my eyes off him.

She scans my wrist, then hands me a small paper cup with two pills in it and extends a glass of water to me. Before I can take it, Holden grabs it. I toss the pills back, and he holds the water up to my mouth. I suck on the straw to swallow the pills down.

If jealousy had a face, I think it would look like this girl right now. Yes, he’s being very sweet, but clearly she mistakes it for something it’s not.

“Thank you,” I say to the girl, and she leaves without acknowledging me.

“Thank you for getting me the medicine and for bringing me here.” Ah, finally, my bitchy alter ego has decided to let nice Lizzie out to play. It might have something to do with the fact that I swear I keep seeing cameos of library Holden tonight.

“I’m just glad I was there. Nearly broke my heart to see the look on your little guy’s face as he was trying to lift that countertop off you.”

My tears, which had just stopped, start flowing again.

“I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.” He grips the back of his neck with one hand. “He clearly loves you very much, and he’s a sweet kid.”

I smile at him through my tears and say, “I like to think so. He’s a good boy.”

“He’s very polite. Seems like you’re doing a great job with him. I always thought you’d be a good mom.”

A laugh bursts out of me.

“You’re kidding, right?”

“No, I’m serious. I used to think about those things. I don’t know. I wasn’t… Never mind.”

“What were you gonna say?” My curiosity is piqued.

Before I can nag an answer out of him, a very attractive man in a T-shirt and scrub bottoms walks into the room, pushing a cart. He’s got a tiny bit of stubble on his face, slightly messy hair, and piercing gray eyes.

“Hi. Are you Lizette Winslow?” he asks in a cheery voice.

“I am.”

He doesn’t even glance at Holden.

Holden says hello back, but I can hear the strain in his voice.

“Well, Miss Winslow, I’m Jace, and I’m here to put your temporary cast on. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, sure. Thank you.”