Page 81 of Scrubbing In
Coughing to hide my grimace, I look at my watch to ward her off. “Glad I could help. It’s been an extremely long day, so I’m going to head home. Have a good night, Alisha.”
“Thanks, Ian.”
Nodding my head, I round my vehicle and wait for her to do the same. I exit the parking lot behind her, but head in the opposite direction, my foot a little heavy on the accelerator in my hurry to get home to my girl.
Closingthe back door behind me, I see lights on in the living room. My guess is it’s Charlie—no doubt my girl is already asleep. Trudging in that direction, I find Charlie, who looks over at me from the couch where she is bundled up in a huge blanket.
“Hey,” I say, dropping my bag by the coffee table and sinking into an armchair.
Her face tightens up when she asks, “Did you add another case?”
Resting my head back with eyes closed, I shake my head, “Nope, just got caught up.”
“Well your week’s almost up. You have that to look forward to.”
Opening one eye at her mischievous tone, I wonder what’s up with her.
“You know, to rest and what not.”
Frowning at her hands flapping about, I only hum in agreement.
“Leena left some soup and bread in the microwave for you.”
That has me sitting up. Knowing I wouldn’t have put in the effort myself, she made sure a serving was ready whenever I made it home. Pushing my hands on my thighs, I heave my body up.
I take my heated bowl and napkin with a crusty slice of bread back to the living room, watching the episode ofBelow DeckCharlie has on as I devour the food left for me.
I’ve never had time or interest in reality TV, not even Quinn could get me to watch it with her. But living with two women—one I would do anything to see smile—I’ve become invested in their guilty pleasure shows along with them.
Too exhausted, I end up sitting long after I finish eating. When another episode ends, Charlie starts shuffling around. Expecting to see her getting up to go to bed, I find her studying me.
“What?” I ask, suddenly alarmed by how my girlfriend’s best friend is studying me.
“Calm down,” she snorts. “Everything’s fine. I’m just glad you’re here. Seeing Leena so happy is all I want for her. But, aside from that, I’ve enjoyed getting to know you, too.”
“You’re scaring me. You almost never get sentimental,” I joke with her.
Her pretend shudder makes me smile. “I know, it’s gross. It’s just . . . Thanks for never treating me like a third wheel.”
“Charlie. Pretty early on, even before Leena and I officially got together, I started thinking of you as my friend.” Taking a deep breath, I speak openly. “I could be envious of the friendship you two have, but it's genuine and such a big part of who Leena is. If anything, I want to protect that bond as much as mine with her. It makes it easier that you’re pretty cool and I like having you around.”
“Okay, now you’re getting too sappy for me.”
“Damn, there is no winning with you.”
Shrugging, effectively ending the conversation, she holds up the remote to me in question.
“No, I’m going to head to bed, too.” More eager than ever to be wrapped around my girl as I fall asleep.
Slipping into the room quietly, I allow my eyes to adjust to the dark. Moving to the side of the bed, I plug my phone in, then strip down to my boxers, grateful I showered at the hospital. Leena is sprawled out on her stomach, one arm under her pillow and one leg pulled up toward her hip and sticking out of the blanket. Gingerly, I climb into bed and curl my body against her side. When her body tenses, I soothe my hand up and down her back. Once I’m sure she won’t wake up, I kiss her shoulder and lean my forehead against her bonnet-protected curls.
I breathe her scent into my lungs.
A while back, I had figured out what my girl’s scent reminded me of. There was an Osmanthus bush outside my grandmother’s back door. It had tiny clusters of orange flowers that would bloom in the fall. The fragrance is similar to a ripe apricot. Mixed with Leena’s hair mask—yes, I am more familiar with hair and beauty products than ever because of my obsession with my girl—she has a unique scent of apricots, spearmint, and rosemary.
With a deep inhale, I fall into a peaceful sleep.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
