Page 176 of Lust & Lies

“Listen here, Aiden Park,” Gertrude started.

I winced, groaning loudly just to keep the two of them from arguing.

“You okay?” Gertrude asked, concern all over her face now.

“Yeah, just a little sore,” I told her.

“That’s what happens when you don’t do as I say,” she scolded, changing out the bandage.

I started to make a sassy remark, but then I noticed the tears in her eyes. They shut me up real quick.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered again, meaning it this time.

“If anything had happened to you, child,” she started, voice cracking.

“I know,” I told her. “I was reckless.”

“Yes, you were. But you’d also lost your memory, which is why I should’ve come to you instead of having you come to me. I didn’t handle that properly. So, I’m sorry too. When Aiden texted me after you woke up and told me you’d regained your memory, I’d been so happy. Even Sam and Dolores teared up. They’re here too. Dolores has been cooking for hours.”

I chuckled. “Yeah, she does that when she’s nervous.”

Now that I had my memory back, I needed to apologize to her again for hemming her up against the wall in the kitchen.

“I didn’t come up sooner because I wanted to give you two some time to talk,” Gertrude told me.

“Why are you here now then?” Aiden mumbled under his breath.

Of course, Gertrude heard him.

“Because I had a feeling you were trying to keep her all to yourself. Plus, I needed to change her bandage and make sure her wound was healing properly.”

“You didn’t check mine,” Aiden pointed out.

Gertrude closed her eyes and inhaled deeply as Aiden winked at me. He liked getting under her skin.

She opened her eyes and, through gritted teeth, said, “I’ll check yours next.”

“Thank you,” he told her.

Shaking her head, she stared at me and asked, “How are you feeling?”

“A little sore. I think the pain meds are starting to kick in, though.”

“Good. No vital organs were hit. Your side gash was deep, though. I want you to rest for at least two weeks.”

“Two weeks?” I squeaked.

“Is that a problem?” she asked.

“I’ve got things to do,” I told her.

“Not with this wound, you don’t. Have you been feeling dizzy?”

I wanted to lie, but thought better of it.

“A little,” I admitted.

“Your head gash wasn’t deep, but head injuries are never anything to play with. You will rest for two weeks, Noe.”