Limitless Love (Lotus House #4)(14)
“And he can cook. Let’s not forget that little tidbit, not that I could.”
Thoughtfully, I chewed and sampled several bites. “You are not wrong. The man can cook. But why is he here? I don’t get it.”
Mila raised her face to the sky. “Lord, please tell me my best friend isn’t this dumb. Did you give her all the book smarts and none of the common-sense smarts?” She waited a moment, staring at the white expanse of the ceiling. “Nothing? You’re telling me nothing. Fine.” Mila sighed and pursed her lips, focusing on me. “Moe, when a man likes a girl, he does things for said girl. Like watch her kid, take care of her, cook her and her bestie dinner.”
I pointed the fork at her. “I get where you’re going with this, but frankly, it doesn’t make sense. Last year he hit on me and then…poof…disappeared into thin air. And from what I heard from the gals at Lotus House, he’s a bit of a player. I don’t need that in my life. Lily doesn’t need that in her life. And besides, now look at me.” I bit down on my lip, not wanting to remember how Kyle had damaged me this time. As if leaving me brokenhearted and my daughter fatherless wasn’t enough.
“I am looking at you. What are you trying to say?”
“Don’t you see? Even after I heal, I’m always going to be scarred, always going to have an ex who tried to kill me and didn’t want the daughter we created. I’m always going to be lacking. If it’s not this new problem, it will be something else.”
“Lily’s father is a sperm donor. Let’s not forget that.”
“You’re missing the point, Mila.” I set the fork down and placed my shaky hands on my thighs, bracing through the pain and the devastation that rushed to the surface once more.
Mila eased over to me on the couch and grabbed my hand. “I do understand. But I’m here to tell you, you’re going to be fine. The stitches are going to come out, the cops are going to get that rat bastard, and life will go on. Who’s to say that life can’t go on with a sexy fitness trainer type on the sidelines ready to be tagged in for the game of his life?”
I laughed and brought her hands up to my lips and kissed the back of each. “You’re a good friend. Delusional, but the greatest.”
“Well, yeah, I’m the bestest. Ask Lily, she’ll tell you.” She grinned, and I smiled in return.
Clayton walked back in holding a second steaming plate and set it on the table in front of Mila. “Soup’s on for you,” he said to Mila.
“If you don’t keep him, can I have him?” Mila whispered, picking up her plate and practically drooling at the feast in front of her eyes.
The abrupt chuckle spilled from my lips, stopping Clayton on his trek back into the kitchen. He placed his large, warm hand on the ball of my good shoulder and squeezed. “Like hearing that, beautiful.”
I closed my eyes and let that small touch sink in just enough to keep my strength up. When I was alone in my bed, I’d let it go, knowing that regardless of what was happening right now, it would all change. Eventually, he’d see I was no longer the catch he thought I was. Like last year, he’d up and leave the same way Kyle did, and then where would I be?
Where would Lily be?
No, it wasn’t a good idea to go handing my heart to every sweet guy who lent me a hand.
Soon, Clayton would realize I wasn’t worth the effort, and he’d back off. If I had to guess, under all his bravado was a gentle soul, one who wanted to take care of women, especially ones who’d been hurt. Probably in his genetic makeup, because even though I’d heard he dated a lot of women, I’d not heard that he’d been careless or hurtful to them.
We ate for a solid fifteen minutes until a wave of nausea and fatigue swept over me. Clayton entered just as I swayed, my body losing its battle with exhaustion.
“Whoa, whoa, hey there. You all right?”
I blinked a few times and shook my head. “Tired. So tired.”
“Let’s get you to your room. Mila, can you help her with a sponge bath? I’ll change her bandages.” He took charge as if it was his duty as well as his right. I didn’t have the strength or desire to argue.
Mila’s eyes widened, and she put her plate down, wiped her hands over her thighs, and stood. “Yes, sir.”
Dazed, I was led into the bathroom, where Clayton helped me get settled on the cushy stool tucked under the bathroom vanity. He made sure I was situated and turned on the water in the sink, testing it every few seconds until it was the right temperature. While the sink was filling, he moved through the bathroom as if he’d been doing so forever, opening and closing the cupboards until he found a washrag. The man was so capable. I could have told him where everything was, but my meds were finally kicking in. With the addition of a belly full of protein and carbs… I needed sleep, real sleep. The kind I could only get in my bed after such a horrendous experience.
Mila entered the bathroom and set a dark-purple pajama tank and a matching pair of skimpy silk shorts on the vanity. I wanted to groan at the choice she’d made but realized she hadn’t chosen those to mess with me or make me look sexy for Clayton. They needed access to my wounds, and this would be the best option for frequent bandage changes.
“Okay, I’ll step out while you wash her. Don’t get the stitches wet. If you’re uncomfortable, I can wash around them. Got it?” He addressed my best friend as if she was his soldier, not our friend.