Page 66 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast

She gave me a brief smile. “I read about the best way to wrap a sprain when I was ten. I went through a medical phase and read every book I could get my hands on.”

I knew she was intelligent, but the way she hesitated every few words made me wonder if there was more to the story. “Your photographic memory comes in handy.”

“Yeah,” she murmured, not looking at me. Her soft tone from earlier changing, sounding more defensive. This wasn’t the confident girl from trivia night.

Her response made me want to punch whoever made her feel like her ability was a detriment. “I think that’s incredible. You’re lucky to have such a skill.”

Her shoulders, which had landed closer to her ears, relaxed slightly. “I guess.”

I watched her finish the wrap and clip on the metal piece to keep it in place. She eyed it and nodded as though pleased with her work. “Can you toss me a pillow?”

I grabbed one of the many pillows spread across the headboard and handed it to her. I’d let Ms. Ketill decorate the space and apparently with pillows she thought more was better. “I take it you don’t think it’s a cool superpower?” I should let it go, but I wanted to know why she hated something so many people would kill to have.

She gently lifted my foot and slid the pillow underneath. Her gaze stayed steady on my foot as she answered. “Some people don’t think that.”

I remembered what she’d said about her mom when we were at the pond. “Well, some people should go fuck themselves.”

She snorted and looked at me. “Yeah, I guess they should.”

A heavy knock sounded at the door before Ms. Ketill entered with a tray. “I brought you two my special Bailey’s and hot chocolate to warm you up.”

Lily stood. “Oh, thank you Angela. I was just finishing here. I can take mine to my room.”

“About that.” Ms. Ketill hesitated. “Lily, could you do me a favor?”

“Of course.” She took the hot chocolate from Ms. Ketill’s outstretched hand.

“Do you mind staying with Jaxon?”

Lily choked on the sip she’d taken. “What?”

Well, this was getting interesting.

“Just for a little while. I need to finish a few things around the house, and I want to make sure he’s all right. And it wouldn’t hurt for him to keep an eye on you too after being out in the cold like that.”

Lily’s mouth opened, then snapped shut.

“Oh, thank you. You’re such a dear.” Ms. Ketill moved to the head of the bed and handed me my mug with a devilish wink.

So Ms. Ketill had decided to play matchmaker. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Lusting after Lily from afar had worked until this point. Having her here, near my bed, was another story.

“O-okay.” Lily bit her lip again. Every time she did that, I wished it were my teeth on her plump flesh.

“Great. If you need me, just call. Otherwise, I won’t bother you.” Ms. Ketill gave us a wave and headed out of the room. The click of the door echoed through my mind while Lily and I stared at each other.

“Well, I guess I could grab a book in my room and sit over there if you don’t mind me leaving you alone for a few minutes.” She gestured to the small seating area near the window she’d been looking out of earlier.

I threw caution to the wind. “Or you could join me.”

“Join you?” she squeaked out.

I nodded. “We could watch a movie.” I wanted her close and wasn’t ready to press her about the lie she’d told.

She looked around my room, not seeing the TV I had hidden within the console across from my bed. “A movie?”

I opened my nightstand drawer and pulled out the remote. With a quick press of a button, the TV rose out of the wooden top.

“Oh, there it is,” she said. “Sure, let’s watch a movie.” Lily climbed up onto the edge of the bed, giving me a tentative smile.