One Heart to Give (Heart's Intent Book 1) (7 page)

“I’ll give Ren a call.” She frowned.

The more information she gathered, the more her anxiety level rose. It was proving to be colossal level chaos. In her gut, she knew it was all going to blow up in her face.

Chapter Eight

Dani put off calling Ren. She was being ridiculous and knew it. Why did she keep putting off the inevitable? Instead, she headed for the hospital to check on Matt. If she ran into Ren, she’d talk to him then. It gave her a reprieve of sorts. She had to talk to him at some point, but she wasn’t ready to. She’d never be at the rate she was going.

She strolled through the hallways of the hospital until she reached Matt’s room. She pushed the door open and breathed a sigh of relief. There wasn’t anyone else in the room. It would give her some time to visit with her friend and pull herself together. Ren hadn’t called her either, he’d said he would. Why did her insecurities have to rear their ugly head? For the most part she was a strong independent woman. She took the world by storm. When it came to Ren, she was the little girl whose parents abandoned her. Her self worth took a hit every time. She wasn’t good enough to keep, so why would anyone else want her. The yo-yo emotions had to stop. Avoiding Ren wasn’t the way to get anything done. She’d go see him after her visit with Matt. It was time to face her fears and set them aside. She was acting like a silly school girl and it was plain stupid.

“How’s my favorite person in the world doing today?” she asked as she entered the room.

“I’ve had better days,” he replied. “Where have you been hiding yourself?”

The sight of him laying damn near helpless in the bed was hard to see. She’d never get used to it. He was usually so strong and steady. A rock when she was on the verge of falling apart. Now she had to be the glue to hold it all together. For Matt, she’d try. She owed him that much.

“Someone has to keep the office running.” She sat in a chair by his bed. “If you hadn’t decided to take this impromptu vacation I’d have more time to dote on you.”

She was attempting to keep things as light and carefree as possible. He didn’t need to know they were on the verge of losing one of the firm’s important clients. He had more important things to worry about. Matt’s convalesce was essential to the healing process. If he had a chance of getting better, he had to take the time to recover properly.

“Hardee har har,” he said. “Best vacation ever. Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” She patted his hand. “Now, seriously, tell me how you’re doing.”

He was quiet for a moment. Was something wrong? They hadn’t removed the bandages around his eyes yet. They were going to do it the day before he was scheduled to be released. Dani wasn’t sure when exactly that was. She’d have to ask the nurse before she left. There were arrangements that needed to be made before Matt could go back to his house and live.

“I did get some good news today,” he said quietly. “I’m not sure how I feel about it.”

That didn’t sound good at all. What could have him so down? She didn’t like the path they were headed down. Matt was falling head first down depression lane.

“Why don’t you tell me what’s bothering you and let me decide if it’s as good as you believe it is.”

“They’re taking the bandages off today.” He frowned. “I’m glad you’re here. Can you stick around until they’re off? I’m afraid…”

Matt scared? No. He was more fearless than anyone she knew. Of course she’d stay by his side. “I’m here for you. Always.”

“I’m not invincible.” He clenched his fists. “I lived each day as if I was. Take a look at me now. I’m laid up and possibly blind for the rest of my life.”

This was a side of Matt she’d never seen before. She wasn’t sure if she liked it. He sounded so—defeated. “Don’t borrow trouble. Let’s take it one step at a time.”

“Claire came to see me yesterday.”

He didn’t elaborate. Had their assistant opened up to him? She’d said she wanted to tell him how she felt. Did that have something to do with Matt’s attitude? Was he questioning every choice he’d ever made? Dani could relate to that. She was doing something similar. After Ren kissed her, she’d had to reevaluate every life choice she’d made. The mistakes she’d made in the past decade were coming back to haunt her. She’d run away instead of staying and fighting for what she wanted. Now she was on the verge of repeating those mistakes. Ren was hers for the taking. She just had to reach out and take what he offered. If only she was brave enough to do it.

“That was nice of her. Did she stay long?”

She wouldn’t come out and ask what she wanted to know. Claire may not have said anything, and it wasn’t her place to tell Matt the other woman was in love with him. If she hadn’t told him, she had her reasons. When the time was right they’d share their feelings.

“I was a bit of an ass.”

“You?” She mocked, holding her hand to her chest. He’d laugh if he could see her. “Never. You’re the epitome of all that’s fabulous in this world. Why ever would you be a jerk?”

“No,” he said solemnly. “I’m a dick, plain and simple. I can’t seem to stop myself from spouting pure venom. The things I said to her…” He rubbed his free hand over his chest. “I don’t know how she’ll ever forgive me.”

Dani didn’t doubt Claire would forgive him anything. That was what you did for those you cared about. Otherwise, Ren would have run screaming at the sight of her. She didn’t doubt she hurt him deeply when she’d run away from him years ago. Now he was holding his arms out to her and asking for more than she’d thought possible. Ren was willing to forgive her without knowing all the details. She’d explain it all to him once she fully understood what had happened. She thought she’d had it all figured out. Now she questioned everything. She may have sacrificed their friendship for no reason.

“I suspect Claire’ll go easy on you. She realizes you’re going through quite a lot right now.” She chuckled. “I’m sure there’s no real damage done. You’re human, and what we know of you, you’re not a monster.”

He snorted. “Debatable. But I’m not up to it now. The doctor should be by soon to see how much of a monster I am.”

Matt was in a mood, and not a good one. Dani didn’t have a clue how to snap him out of it. Maybe a better person would be capable of it. She’d never claimed to be one. She sighed. “I think you’re being a tad overdramatic now. You’re acting as if the doctor is about to unwrap your bandages and reveal Frankenstein’s monster.”

He chuckled. “Close enough.”

“He’s…He’s…alive,” she said dramatically. “Relax, and you’re worrying yourself into a tizzy.”

Matt sighed. “It’s hard. Lying here all day with my thoughts to keep me company. It’s enough to drive a person crazy.”

Dani understood that better than most. She didn’t have to be idle for her demons to stomp through her thoughts. All she had to do was breathe, and
poof,
there they were, ready to impart their evil wisdom on her unsuspecting brain.

“Please,” she mocked, “you can’t go crazy when you’re already there.” Dani was doing her best to lighten his mood. “You’d have to be to put up with me every day.”

Matt smiled. “You do have a valid point.” His smile fell slightly. “Thank you, Dani. I didn’t realize how much I needed you here until you stopped in.”

Tears threatened to fall. Didn’t he understand she’d do anything for him? “It’s nothing. If you have doubts again, call me. I’ll set you straight.” Dani pushed the chair forward and leaned her head on his shoulder. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”

The door opened and Ren stepped inside. “Are you ready to remove your bandages?”

Dani lifted her head; her gaze met Ren’s.
Shit
. He looked pissed. What had she done?

***

Damn it.
Ren mentally cursed. Why did she have to appear so comfortable with Matthew Price? He clenched his fists at his side. He didn’t like the beast that was welling up inside of him. It wasn’t pretty, and it wanted to be unleashed. Ren curbed his instincts. He had a job to do. It didn’t have anything to do with pounding his chest, and claiming the woman he loved, as much as he wanted to. Dani almost appeared—afraid. What did she see when she looked at him? He took a deep breath and stepped fully into the room.

“I’m not sure how ready I am,” Matt replied. “But I suppose now’s as good a time as any.”

Ren wrenched his gaze from Dani’s and let it settle on Matt. She couldn’t be his sole focus. His patient required his attention too. “Lana will be here in a moment with the supplies we need and then we can get started.”

“I’m here now, Dr. Sousa.” Lana rushed into the room. “Sorry I’m behind.”

The petite red-head walked to the other side of Matt’s bed and set up on the tray. As far as nurses went, she was one of the best he’d ever worked with. It’s why he chose her whenever possible. She was efficient and practical. Not once had she tried to hit on him. Unfortunately, there were some single women in the hospital who’d tried once they realized he’d filed for divorce. Lana was different. She came to the hospital to work and nothing else.

“I’m ready whenever you are.” She turned to him.

“Do you need me to step out?” Dani asked.

“No, don’t go,” Matt begged.

Ren clenched his teeth. He hated how he felt seeing Dani with her friend. She’d been his best friend once. He’d wanted more than that then, and sure as hell did now. Jealousy wasn’t a good feeling to have sitting in the bottom of his gut. Now wasn’t the time to let it find a grip in him. Brushing past it, he joined Lana on the other side of Matt’s bed.

“Hand me the scissors so I can begin.”

Lana brought him the instrument and he started the slow process of removing the bandages around Matt’s eyes. He peeled all the layers away and dropped them onto the tray Lana held. After most of them were off, only two squares remained covering each eye. They’d have to replace the ones over the incision on his head to prevent infection, but the removal of his dressing was to test the viability of his vision.

“I’m going to remove the gauze covering your eyes,” Ren explained. “Keep your eyes closed. Don’t open them until I tell you to.”

The silence was eerie in the room. No one said a peep while he worked. Ren was thankful for it. He worked better when it was quiet, allowing him to concentrate. He removed the final two bandages and placed them on the tray. Now it was time to find out if the surgery worked.

“All right,” he began, “open your eyes slowly. Blink a few times before you try to focus.”

Matt did as he asked. They all waited on bated breath. After he blinked a few times, Matt shook his head. “It’s blurry.”

Ren smiled. That was actually good news. “Blurry is good. It means you see something.”

Matt frowned. “I can’t make out anything. How’s that a good thing?”

Dani placed her hand over Matt’s. “It means you’re recovering. If I understand correctly, your eyes still have a lot of healing to do.”

Ren appreciated her perceptiveness. As much as he hated seeing them together, Matt needed her support. It would be a long road to recovery. “She’s correct. It’s going to take a while for you to heal. Your vision might not become fully restored, but I’m hopeful. This is a good sign. Be happy.”

Matt smiled. “I’ll try. Does this mean I can get out of here?”

“Yes.” He grinned back. “Lana, can you start the process to have Mr. Price released tomorrow?”

Lana finished putting new bandages over Matt’s incision. “Yes, doctor.” She threw away the old bandages in the biohazard waste. “I’ll take care of it now.” The nurse spun on her heals and exited the room. The woman could almost be considered too efficient, taking all the extra items with her as she left.

“If you don’t have any more questions, I’ll leave you two to your visit.”

“I’m good,” Matt said. “You’ve given me a lot to think about, and I have the benefit of finally leaving this place soon.”

“Then I’ll go. Don’t be afraid to ask anything. I’m a phone call away.”

Ren turned to leave. He wanted to stay, but it wasn’t a good time to do it. He’d corner Dani later. Interrupting her time with Matt wasn’t the place to push himself on her.

“Ren, wait,” she called out.

He closed his eyes and steeled himself for her refusal. Whenever she saw him she either pushed him away or ran as far as possible. Neither one worked for him. “Yes?” he said, turning back to her.

“If you have a moment, I’d like to speak to you before you leave.”

This had the possibility of being either good or bad.
Please let it be good.
“I have a few moments before I have to see my next patient.”

“Don’t let me stop you,” Matt said. “I’m going to take a nap. Come back and bother me later.”

Dani smiled. “You can count on it.” She glanced at Ren. “I’ll walk out with you.”

Ren didn’t know what to make of her. She kept him on his toes. He stayed silent as they exited the room. Leaving it to her to tell him what she wanted to say. He grabbed her arm and led her toward his office. She bit her lip and allowed him to.

“We don’t need to go to your office. What I have to say won’t take long.”

He didn’t reply. Ren feared if he opened his mouth the jealousy would come spilling out. The privacy his office offered would give him more control. When they reached it, he pushed the door open and pulled her inside. The door shut with a soft
click
. Dani leaned back against it. Ren stalked forward placing his hands above her shoulders against the door. Their gazes locked.