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“Do you have a five?” he asks instead of pushing me.
I appreciate that and will admit he hasn’t forced me into conversations I don’t want to have. I take a shaky breath.
“Go fish,” I reply.
We continue to play round after round. He’s able to get me to laugh a bit during our game. I try not to let my guard down, but I feel it slipping the longer I remain in this room with him.
I reach for a card, but he covers my hand with his and my breathing stops. I don’t want to feel. I don’t want this connection that’s been building.
Yet the spark hums up my arm, sending warmth throughout my body that can’t be ignored. My eyes lift to his face. His forehead is covered in sweat. I think we’ve overdone it.
“Thank you,” he says after swallowing hard.
“For?”
“All of this and… just being here, being you,” he says.
“You’re welcome,” I say as I drop my eyes to stare at his hand over mine.
“Tell me something that I can do for you. I feel like I should be taking care of you, but here you are taking care of me and my family,” he says.
“I told you it’s fine. I didn’t like that woman who came to babysit for Chloe.” I frown. “I can help out. It’s not like I’m doing much else.”
“You haven’t been painting,” he states, it’s not a question.
“A certain little angel likes to call for my attention. I haven’t had time to.” I grin, thinking of Chloe singing through the halls as she peeks her head in doors looking for me.
She’s gotten away from her grandmother and father a few times in search of me. I’ve come to listen out for her calling Cee through the house. It’s a big place but she finds my corridor every time.
“I’m sorry,” he starts before having a coughing fit.
I wave him off, handing over a glass of water as he leans forward. I shift on the bed, fixing the covers around him for something to do with my hands. He places the glass on the nightstand and turns his attention back to me.
“I’ll make sure you get some time to yourself,” he says after clearing his throat.
“Actually, I’ve been enjoying my time with Chloe,” I say, surprising myself.
It’s the truth. I laugh so much during our little tea parties with Eileen. We play in the yard, and I’ve been teaching her new words and singing the alphabet with her. I’ve read her a story the last two nights before she’s gone to bed. She’s such an adorable little girl.
She still asks after her mommy and that’s heartbreaking. In those moments, I just want to hold her tight and make it all better for her. I hope with time it will get better.
“You, I… I’m in awe of you,” he says, shaking his head.
I tilt my head at him. “Why? Because I’ve grown to love an innocent child. She didn’t break my heart, you did,” I say to remind myself as much as him.
He closes his eyes. I watch as his face tightens with his own emotions. I look down into my lap. Once again, I realize I don’t know if I should still be this hard on him. He has been trying.
Walking on the beach, the extravagant dates, and flowers are just the tip of the iceberg. Brodi has spent time allowing me to get to know him again. The problem is, I’m falling for this man. He isn’t the man I used to know.
He has changed. I still see pieces of the one who stole my heart so long ago, but this more mature Brodi is chipping away at my armor every day.
“Gregor, I need to check on Chloe,” I say.
Yes, this is a different man which is why I’ve started to call him by his given name. When I think about it, my source of conflict comes from seeing two sides of him. In my mind, I believe I’ve started to separate the two.
That’s dangerous in so many ways. I stand and go to collect the tray I brought in with his dinner on it. One of the staff members could have done this, but I choose to.
“Yes, I’m in awe of you because you’ve fallen in love with a child that isn’t yours. I’m in awe of you because you hate me and care about me at the same time.
