Page 11 of Hidden Resolution (Stonebrooke #2)

“The surgery went well. Erica was lucky to find help as quickly as she did. She’s in recovery for the next half hour, then we’ll move her to a private room. You’ll be able to see her after she’s settled.”

“How soon before she’s able to go home?” Shonda asked.

“I’d like to keep her for the next day or two.

I want to be sure she doesn’t experience a fever or infection.

If everything looks good in a few days, she’ll be discharged,” the doctor explained.

“She’s going to need to rest for the next ten days.

We’ll go over everything when we discharge her, but I expect Erica to make a full recovery. ”

Overcome, Zack could only nod and pump the man’s hand in gratitude.

“She’s going to be fine, Mr. Sharp.”

“Thanks.”

“If any of you plan to hang around, the cafeteria food isn’t half bad.”

“Are there donuts?” Zack asked.

“Excuse me?”

“Erica’s going to want donuts when she wakes. It’s her go-to food for stress.”

Dr. Montgomery, as Mason learned his name was, chuckled and shook his head as he exited.

“I can make a donut run,” Dane offered. “Text me what everyone wants.”

“You guys don’t have to stay.”

“Three musketeers, remember?” was Mason’s low-voiced reply.

“The three musketeers,” Zack concurred. “In that case, you can pick up a dozen. Four need to be lemon-filled. The rest can be whatever you guys want.”

“You know Erica’s favorite flavor?” Shonda asked. And glee followed her amazement, lighting her eyes from within.

“It’s not like she’s kept her donut addiction a secret,” Zack hedged.

Mason smirked at his uncomfortable expression. Enjoyment over his brother’s predicament kept him quiet while Shonda continued her special brand of torture.

“Uh, yeah, she normally does,” she informed Zack.

“Right. The woman is all about the carbs and would kill for a slice of cake, pie, or pizza. I hardly think that’s something she’d be able to hide for long.”

“You don’t understand. Not even her last boyfriend knew what she liked. She’s actually a very private person.” Shonda shook her head. “She rarely speaks up for herself.”

“Are we talking about the same Erica here? She swears like a sailor and grumbles every time she has to go to the gym. Once, she threatened my life because I couldn’t produce coffee fast enough.”

“She only gets testy about coffee when she first wakes up… Oh!”

“Oh? Oh, what?” Zack was getting testy, and it was a joy to witness.

“You’re sleeping together. It’s the only way you would know that.”

His neck turned red. “She’s been living in my house since hers burned down two weeks ago.”

“ What? Her house… Oh, God! She loved that house.” Shonda clutched his wrist. “How did it happen?”

“A screwball fire-starter who seems to have a hard-on for hurting Erica,” Zack said, anger heavy in his voice. “It’s why she’s here.”

“How—”

“Look, I’m sure she would’ve explained it if you’d bothered to return her calls. As it is, you’ll have to wait to talk to her. I don’t care to go into it right now.”

“Zack!” Mason barked, furious at his brother’s rude comment. “Don’t speak to her like that. She’s not done anything wrong.”

“No, nothing you didn’t do, right?” Zack snapped.

“You’ve avoided me for the last three days.

If you’d have returned a goddamned text or call, this might have been prevented.

I could’ve been with Erica today while you ran the office.

” The rage, which had come upon him suddenly, left as abruptly.

Shaken, he ran a hand through his hair and blew out a breath. “I’m sorry, Mason. I…”

Mason felt like a complete shit. “No. You’re right. There’s no excuse to avoid responsibility. It won’t happen again.”

The waiting room was relatively silent after Dane left, leaving each to their tumultuous thoughts.

“Mr. Sharp?” They shot to their feet as a recovery-room nurse entered the room. She directed the next words to Zack as he rushed forward. “Ms. Sutton is being wheeled to her room, two-twenty-three. You can head there now. We ask you keep it to only two visitors at a time.”

“Thank you.” He turned to Shonda. “Do you mind if I see her alone first?”

Shonda’s agreement was a soft smile, and Zack returned it with a broad one of his own before giving her a tight hug. Bending, he spoke directly into her ear. The slight blush staining her cheeks put Mason’s back up.

Zack followed up with a hard, fast kiss on her lips. His grin widened the instant Mason objected, and with a wink for Shonda, Zack dashed toward the elevators.

Left to stew in his own juices, Mason grew increasingly pissed at how friendly his brother had gotten with Shonda, and worse, how receptive she’d been to Zack’s friendliness.

When he couldn’t take it a second longer, he snapped. “What the hell was that?”

“What?” Her puzzled expression might’ve been adorable if he wasn’t seething.

“That.” He gestured wildly toward the door. “The scene with my brother.”

“Mason, I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about.”

And likely she didn’t. He’d been silently spiraling for a good fifteen minutes before working up the nerve to call her out.

“The flirting with my brother,” he ground out.

“Dude. Are you insane?” Her incredulous glare was backed by fire and fury.

Her righteousness sent all his petty little demons straight back to hell.

“My best friend—who is your brother’s new girlfriend—was stabbed and is lying in recovery.

Do you really think so little of me to believe I’d make a move on her man? ”

Well, no, not when she put it that way.

Christ, what was going on with him?

“Asshole!” Her scathing comment cut.

“I guess sniffing me is out of the question?” he offered, managing a sheepish grin.

She stormed from the room as if she couldn’t bear to look at him. And honestly, he didn’t blame her.

He was a total asshole.