Maia kept her gaze on the planks, certain that they were much safer, even with their jagged edges, than seeing that look in London’s eyes again. How one man could possess that much magnetism was well beyond the laws of physics. It was like he was seeing her for the first time all over again. And, to be fair, the adult versions of London and Maia were strangers.

Except he didn’t feel like a stranger. Being with him was as easy as singing through warm-up scales. They’d always been able to talk and tease, and their grown-up selves hadn’t forgotten that fine art.

His touch was familiar and yet it sent her heart into a crazy samba, complete with sashaying hips and hand flourishes. Man, it was hot in Texas!

“Will you hold this down so I can nail it in place?”

Maia glanced at the tabletop, where several other boards had already been set as she held the board down. “How’d you do this before I got here?” she asked over the pop-hiss of the nail gun.

He smiled but didn’t answer. Instead, he popped nails into the other end and reached for another board. Maia dropped her chin to her chest to hide her grin. He’d invented a job that would keep her close. While she was mildly insulted to be of less use than a clamp, she was thrilled he wanted to be with her.

The table itself was kind of ingenuous. He’d dismantled several wood pallets, probably ones that would have been thrown out. The table base was just wide enough that he didn’t have to cut the pallet wood at all; he could just lay the slat on top and secure it in place.

They were running out of boards. Rather than interrupt London’s rhythm, she headed over to retrieve a few more slats, grateful she wore gloves because the wood wasn’t exactly manicure friendly.

She lifted as many as she could and hurried back. On the way, her wedge rolled on an uneven paving stone, causing her to fall forward and to the side. The wood fell from her hands as she scrambled to catch herself. Instead of hitting the ground, she slammed into one of the damaged tables, her palms burning on impact.

A moment later, the reality of something in her thigh lit up her pain receptors. She bit down the scream and breathed like a raging bull through her nose. Moving in any direction was impossible. Forward would send the wood deeper into her flesh. Backward would release a flood of blood. And either side would tear a larger hole. Her legs were numb and her head went fuzzy.

“London?” she called, her voice sounding far, far away. In a haze of pain, she watched as blood oozed out of the wound, soaking the light wood. Her arms began to shake. “London?” The volume increased, fueled by irrational thoughts of dying right there. Although passing out was a real option.

The air compressor shut off just as she called his name one more time. He turned to her, made a quick assessment, and hurtled two tables to wrap his arm gently around her for support. Heavens, he was big and strong and so heart-meltingly tender.

“Holy …” He stared down at her leg. “How in the …?”

Maia gritted her teeth as tears blurred her vision of his neck. There was a thick vein just under his beautiful skin that throbbed quickly.

“We’ve got to pull it out.”

She fisted her hands, unable to lift them off the wood for fear of falling farther forward. “I can’t.”

He cursed. “April!” His bellow could be heard two states over.

April jumped. “Sheesh. You don’t—” Whatever reprimand she was going to hand out died on her lips.

“Go inside, get a package of clean paper towels and my mom.”

April nodded once and was off faster than the Road Runner.

Sweat pooled in unmentionable places. The driver and Kristi rushed over.

“What can I do?” asked Allister, the driver.

April arrived, panting, and thrust the package of paper towels at London. He handed them off to Allister, who watched with great concern. “Open those.”

Allister tore the plastic and did his best to keep his dirty hands off the white towels.

Mom arrived with a first aid kit and did a mom-like inspection. “This isn’t going to cut it. She needs stitches.”

“Yep.” A rim of white appeared around London’s pressed lips. “Okay, honey, I’m going to take you off of there.”

Maia tried her best to hold back the ocean of fear. The pain was already intense, and she didn’t think she could stand taking it up a notch. A whimper sounded in the back of her throat.

London clenched his eyes shut. “I can’t do this if it’s going to hurt you.”

Karen leaned across the table from the side so she could put both her hands over the top of Maia’s and make direct eye contact. Her soft, earthy scent mixed with a peony-based perfume overpowered the tangy smell of fresh blood, allowing Maia to draw a full, deep breath. “You’re strong, baby girl. You can do this. Trust my boy. Okay?”

Maia blocked out all the worried faces around her as London’s firm hands encircled her leg. His fingers were long and strong and warm against her trembling skin. She needed him so badly right now, needed his inner strength. He’d always been tough, always been able to take a hit on the field and come right back. He was a fighter. She imagined herself alongside him on the field, and drew on his bravery. With a small nod, she whispered, “Do it.”

London pulled her leg free. There was a moment of reprieve as her body adjusted to the change, and then a volcano erupted in the wound, spewing hot blood over the edge of her jagged skin. She trapped her cry of agony behind her teeth, muffling the sound but not extinguishing it.

London scooped her into his arms and pressed his forehead to hers. “Hang in there, honey. I promise it’s almost over.”

Maia wrapped her arms around his neck, doing all she could to focus on the feel of being in London’s arms. She pressed her palm to his cheek, willing her mind to block out the pain.

Allister used a white towel to apply pressure to the wound. She hissed.

“Aw, love.” London’s voice sounded like he was coming undone. He needed her to be brave, and that fueled her resolve.

She lifted her head off his shoulder. “April, call ahead to the hospital and tell them we need a private room.” The press would go nuts if they found out. They’d probably find out anyway, but there was no sense clogging up the emergency room entrance with paparazzi.

London lurched into a fast walk towards the parking lot. Allister, the driver, hurried to keep up so he could keep his hand over the gash. The poor guy had to take three steps for every one of London’s. A trickle of sweat traveled down the side of his face. April, Kristi, and Karen all followed closely behind.

“Kristi, head back to the hotel and pick up a change of clothes. Find me some flats and loose-fitting pants.” She had to walk out of the hospital on her own two feet. Days and days of promotional appearances stretched out before her. Her mouth became a desert just thinking of standing onstage tomorrow night.

“What should I do?” asked Allister.

Maia smiled weakly. “How about you drive?”

“Okay!” He paused long enough for Maia to put her hand over the towel, now dotted with red, before running ahead to open the back seat of the town car. London turned around and sat down with her on his lap. He swung his legs inside and Allister slammed the door. April climbed in the front, her phone pressed to her ear. Karen blew them a kiss and then went back to wringing her hands.

The inside of the car was hot and stuffy and smelled like lemon car freshener. “You, um.” Maia tucked her hair behind her ear and then draped her arm across London’s broad shoulders again. “You don’t have to hold me.”

London’s face turned stony. He shook his head. “You’re staying right here.”

Maia took in his hard jaw and the determined slant to his brow and decided not to argue. Now that she was sitting in a pretty darn comfortable spot, her muscles, which had been so tense, began to relax and sleep tugged at her like a persistent child. Her eyes fluttered shut, and sounds moved to the background. Her leg throbbed. She hoped there weren’t any splinters left in there.

“Maia—honey, stay with me.”

Maia smiled softly. “Wish you’d said that at prom,” she muttered.

London kissed her forehead. “I wish I had too.”

“Hmm.” Her legs and arms grew heavier.

“Maia?” London patted her face.

Maia wanted to answer, but she just didn’t have the energy.

“Hurry. I think she’s going into shock.”