Page 5 of Striking (Red Lips & White Lies #7)

Lennon adjusts Brennan in her arms, but it doesn’t mask her worry. “Are you okay, Rhys? Really okay? I feel like all you do is Grandfather’s bidding, mixed with the occasional bad life choice.”

My shoulders shake with silent laughter. “Those bad life choices you speak of aren’t choices. They’re just a little fun where I can find it.”

“Whatever you say, big brother.” She shakes her head but seems slightly lighter. “Relaxed looks good on you, Rhys. You should do it more often.”

“Funny. I was just thinking the same thing about you.”

Lennon glares, and I give in. “I’ll try,” I humor her, but judging by the tilt to her head, she’s not buying it. “Stop worrying about me, Lennon.”

“I promised Mummy I’d never stop.”

And just like that, I feel like I’ve been hit by a ten-ton weight.

L ater that night, I make my way into the kitchen in search of a glass of water... or maybe a bottle of scotch. Either would do just fine, right about now. But what I find instead is infinitely better.

Bellamy is sitting at the counter, a spoon dug into a carton of butter pecan ice cream.

Her dark hair is pulled up into some type of messy bun, with a pen sticking out of it and soft pieces falling down to her shoulders.

A pink cropped tank top and tiny little matching ruffled shorts barely cover any of her sun-kissed, creamy skin, and a mess of colored notecards are spread out on the counter with a handful of highlighters and pens scattered everywhere.

She’s a gorgeous mess.

And like a moth to a flame, I’m drawn to her. Destruction be damned.

“Why didn’t I see you at Lennon and Maddox’s wedding?” I ask as I move closer, and the way she nearly jumps out of her skin brings a smile to my lips.

“You’ve got to learn to make noise when you enter a room,” she gasps and glares at me, her face flushed and so fucking pretty. “I have to request time off quarterly and couldn’t get anyone to switch with me at the last minute.”

I knew she couldn’t have been there. I never would have missed her. I take stock of the messy counter, and I pick up a notecard and read the question on one side.

“A twenty-four-year-old woman comes to the office for evaluation of urinary frequency...” I look up at Bellamy and grin. “Well, that sounds wretched.”

“Just read the question, Your Highness.”

Cheeky little American.

“Where was I...? Okay. She’s been doing so for the past three days.

She has also noticed vaginal discharge. The patient has never had these symptoms before.

A urine sample is obtained for urinalysis and culture.

Which of the following additional findings would be most suggestive of a diagnosis of pyelonephritis?

” I look at the card, slightly disturbed. “What the hell are you studying?”

Bellamy reaches for the card, but I hold it out of reach. “I’m studying for the boards.”

“I thought you were already a nurse?” I ask, confused. I’m positive yesterday she said she was a nurse in a hospital. “Didn’t you already take the test before they let you around patients?”

“I’m already an RN.” Bellamy shakes her head, clearly wondering how I’m not following. “I’ve just finished my classes for my master’s in nursing. I’m taking the nurse practitioner boards later this month.”

“Beauty and brains.” I flip the card over, looking for the answer. “All right then. Your options are?—”

“What are you doing, Rhys?” A red flush creeps up her cheeks that I’d like to trace the entire way down her body with my tongue.

“I’m helping you study. I couldn’t sleep anyway.

Might as well do something useful.” I read over the options and wonder if I can properly pronounce the words.

Guess I’m about to find out. “Follow along, love. Your options are: A) bacteriuria; B) leukocytosis; C)microscopic hematuria; or D)white blood cell casts.”

“I didn’t ask for your help,” she argues one last time before yanking the pen out of her hair and pointing it at me. “Fine. D) white blood cell casts. Now will you please let me study?”

“I told you. I’m going to help you study.” I pick up another card and read it over. This one is more obvious. Fucking cancer. Then it clicks, and I stare at the woman in front of me. “What is your specialty?”

“Oncology,” she answers, like I knew she would. “Why?”

I flip the card and show her the question, and her mouth forms a perfect O.

“Why would you want to deal with this disease every day? I can’t imagine voluntarily being part of that pain day in and day out.” Scotch just beat out water, and I know exactly where the staff keeps it.

“Because if it weren’t for the nurses when I had cancer, I’d have constantly been scared.

They kept me sane, and they treated me as much as my cancer.

My doctors were amazing too, but they focused on the cancer.

The nurses mattered, and I want to be able to do that for other people.

” Her voice trails off as she hands me another card.

“So I have to pass the boards. If you really want to help, keep asking questions.”

“You had cancer?” I know I’m a few steps behind, but I’m not sure I registered much after that. Pain seeps deep into my bones, imagining her going through the hell my mother did. “Are you... Are you okay now?”

My chest tightens, and my head spins.

I keep my thoughts to myself, but Bellamy sees it.

She sees the pain, and she doesn’t say anything.

Doesn’t push. Just places her hand on mine for a moment as I gather my thoughts.

“I’m great now. Healthy . I see my doctor twice a year and try not to think about it otherwise.

” She leans in closer, closing the distance between us.

The pull between us is so fucking strong. “Are you okay?”

I don’t know this woman.

Not the way I want to.

Not in any way that would explain this pull to her.

I cup her face in my hand and stare into those mesmerizing eyes. “I leave tomorrow.”

We hang here, frozen in this limbo.

Neither of us moving.

Not wanting to break whatever this is but knowing we have to.

I drag my thumb along her jaw, needing to touch but knowing I shouldn’t.

“Bellamy...” I groan, feeling like I’m standing on the edge of a blade, wondering which way it’s going to tip and how much damage will be done with our next move.

She closes her eyes, and for a moment, leans into my touch. But when her eyes open, the spell is broken, and there’s a determination in its place. “I guess you better start asking me questions if you’re going to help me study then, Your Highness. Next one. Come on.”