chapter 10
A NURSE BRINGS IN LOGAN’S lunch, which doesn’t look appealing whatsoever. Logan agrees, judging by the expression on his face.
“If you need to go and do anything, I’m happy to stay here with him,” I tell Tristan, wondering if he has work, or if Laura is okay.
“Are you sure?” he asks me, and I nod. I wonder if he has any other family, or anyone who gives him a hand when he’s in a tight spot with the kids, because it doesn’t look like it. “I might just go pick up Laura and bring her here so she can see Logan. I stayed here overnight last night and she’s been at home with Anne.”
“Go ahead,” I encourage. “I won’t leave his side. I had nothing planned today, so I’m not in any rush to leave.”
“I’ll bring you some lunch,” he tells me. “You must be getting hungry, and the café food here is terrible.”
“That’d be nice.”
He reaches out and touches my bare arm. “Seriously, Kat, thank you. You didn’t have to come here, and you sure as hell aren’t obligated to help, but I’m so grateful that you’re here. My family all lives across the country, so I don’t really have anyone to call when I’m in an emergency other than Jaxon, but he has his own problems right now.”
“It’s fine, Tristan,” I assure him, glancing over to Logan. “He’s a great kid.”
“He is,” he agrees, gently squeezing my arm before putting some space between us. “I’ll be back soon, Logan. I’m just going to pick up your sister and get some food.”
Logan glances down at his plate and says, “Can you bring me some too? Because, Dad, this looks . . .”
“I’ve got it covered, son,” he says, kissing Logan’s forehead. “I love you. Kat is going to stay with you, so look after her for me, okay?”
“Of course,” he replies, grinning up at his father.
Boom!
That sound?
That’s the sound of my ovaries exploding.
I didn’t even think I liked or wanted kids up until this moment, but Logan makes it hard to not want to have another three just like him. Tristan smiles at me on his way out, and I wait until he leaves before I turn to Logan. “I wonder if they sell board games at the gift store.”
I don’t want to leave him alone though, even for ten minutes, so I ask a passing nurse if it’s okay to take him with me to the gift store and back.
“No problem,” she tells me. “It’s just one floor down, so I don’t see why not.”
“Great,” I tell her, then look to Logan. “Come on, I’m going to carry you down one flight of stairs, and then we’re going to choose a few games to play.”
“I vote for Connect Four,” he says, smiling and sitting up. He lifts his arms for me to carry him. “Are you sure you can lift me? I’m heavy, and you’re kind of small.”
I’m a little on the petite side, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be able to lift him. “Well, I’m going to try.”
He stands on the bed, and I lift him into my arms.
“I think I can manage,” I tell him as he wraps his arms around me. “You ready for this little adventure?”
“Yep,” he replies, sounding cheerful. “I’m ready.”
We leave the room, him holding on to me for dear life, and me doing the same.
It’s a moment I don’t think I’ll ever forget.
“I WIN,” I TELL Tristan, a smirk playing on my lips. “It feels so good to beat you at something, even if it’s just Connect Four.”
“How do you know I didn’t let you win?” he asks, arching a brow at me. He then turns to Laura and winks at her. “I let girls win sometimes, don’t I, Laura?”
She rolls her eyes. “It’s true. I’ve caught him letting me win before, and I told him not to do it. It’s a little condescending.”
Laughter escapes me. “That’s hilarious, but that’s not what happened this time. I won, fair and square, and now I have bragging rights.”
“Clearly a humble winner,” Tristan mutters under his breath, but he can’t deny the amusement in those blue eyes. He enjoys our banter, and I think he likes the fact I’m not a delicate little flower. I like to give him shit and tease him. I like to be playful, and I like that he gives that right back to me.
“Okay, now it’s my turn to play the other Channing male,” I declare, grinning at Logan.
“You’re going to try to beat a sick six-year-old? You’re funny, Kat,” Laura pipes up, giggling.
I smile at her. “Hey, Logan wouldn’t like it if I let him win, would you, Logan?”
“You aren’t going to win,” he declares, rubbing his hands together. “I play this game at school and I win all the time.”
“My skill level surpasses those of your school friends, buddy,” I tell him, laughing as he rolls his eyes at me. I glance up at Tristan, and our gazes lock, something passing between us. Maybe we’re both acknowledging the moment, I don’t know, but it’s hard for me to look away.
I want to get lost in him instead.
I smile softly, and he winks in return.
Logan then tugs on my arm, and I give him my full attention.
“Okay, okay, enough talking. Game on, buddy,” I challenge.
He wins.
But only because I let him.
“I’D WALK YOU TO your car,” he says, looking a little sheepish. “But I can’t leave them alone in the room.”
I put my hand up. “It’s fine, I think I’ll survive walking to my car and opening my own doors this one time.”
He chuckles and steps closer to me, looking down at my face. “You were amazing today, I don’t know how to thank you enough.”
“You don’t need to thank me,” I tell him, ducking my head, suddenly feeling a little shy. I don’t know how this happened, how I ended up here, but I did. Never did I think I’d be spending the day feeling a part of a family I just met. My boss’s family. The boss I didn’t even think that I liked, but now I think I like too much. I never did take any easy paths. “If you need me, let me know. Otherwise, I’ll see you on Monday.”
I turn to leave, but he takes my hand and stops me. “Kat, I—”
“Yes?” I ask, stepping closer to him. So close that our chests are almost touching.
Almost.
He reaches down and cups my cheek, then kisses my forehead, the casual brush of his lips sending shivers down my entire body like an electric shock. I can’t help it: I lean into him. I wish I could melt into him, but I don’t.
He’s just thanking me for being there for him and his children today. When he lets go of me, I smile up at him and turn to leave the hospital. When I get home I get a message from him.
Did you get home safely?
I reply with a simple yes, and then climb into my bed and bury my face in my pillow. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I need to accept Tristan as my boss, and now, as a friend, and I need to block any ideas about anything more. I don’t know why I just want to touch him, lean into him . . . run my fingers along his biceps, reach up and stroke the stubble on his cheeks.
Shit.
I have a crush on him.
And I need to learn how to stop it, and quickly.
I don’t even know what it is about him. I have terrible taste in men, and this just proves my theory.
He’s my boss.
And now I’ve allowed myself to get close to his kids. I groan loudly, feeling sorry for myself and suddenly in a bit of a sulky mood. I need to suck it up, distance myself, and get my mind back on track. I’m here to make my dreams a reality, to reach my goals, and I don’t need to be getting distracted right now.
Eyes on the prize.
And I can’t let the prize change from my career to a man.
This is all I’ve ever wanted, I’ve put so much importance on becoming this person, on it giving me a purpose. When I was growing up, I’d dream of the successful woman I’d become. My father told me I could do anything, and I was determined to make him proud. It gave me the strength to push through, to thrive. I may not have had a mother growing up, but my father was amazing, and I don’t only owe it to myself, but I owe it to him to achieve my dreams. I can’t give up my dream for anyone.
Even for a man, for the man.
I could have both.
Yeah, as if that’s going to work out.
New rule: no more thoughts of Tristan.
I fall asleep with that being my last coherent thought.