Page 316 of Under Her Skin

Blaine is a man who exudes confidence in almost every situation. It had me thinking he was without any kind of insecurities or had nothing he was unsure of. I waswrong.

I think he was sent to cross my path for a reason. And maybe he’s helping me figure some things out about myself too, like how to have patience and more understanding of people. We all have our little things that give us fear or uncertainty. Not one of us doesn’t have something we need help to overcome orunderstand.

Coming back with a couple of men to help carry the things inside, I take Blaine’s hand and take him back into the hospital for the first time since Thanksgiving. I can see he’s nervous, and when we get to the elevator and Meagan’s mother steps off it, I’m the one who getsnervous.

Her eyes are red from crying. She blinks when she sees us. “You two are together now?” she asks as she looks at our claspedhands.

“We are,” I say and step aside, pulling Blaine with me so she can pass byus.

She looks at me and Blaine, then over her shoulder as if checking to see if anyone is behind her. “Can I talk to you two for aminute?”

I don’t see this as good in any way. “Mrs. Sanders, we have some things to take care of, and your husband was more than clear. He wants Mr. Vanderbilt nowhere near yourdaughter.”

“Yes, I know that. I also know he had you removed from her nursing staff as well, NurseRichards.”

Blaine looks at me. “Hedid?”

I nod. “Yes. I didn’t want to bring it up to you. I know how he makes youfeel.”

“Meagan asks for you both,” she says, making me feel a little surprised. “Every single day, she asks for you two. She says she needs to tell Mr. Vanderbilt something veryimportant.”

“I don’t know how we can do that,” I tell her. “Neither of us are allowed in her room, and she’s not able to leaveit.”

Her eyes cut off to the side as she looks behind us. “He’s coming. I have to go. I’ll come talk to you as soon as I can. We have to figure out something.” She walks away quickly, and we step onto the elevator the orderlies have been holding forus.

“I really hate that asshole,” Blaine mutters as the doors close and we see Mr. Sanders meet up with hiswife.

“Don’t think about him. Let that all slip right on out of your mind. Colby, Terry, Tammy, and little Adam are the only people I want you to think about today.” I give his hand a squeeze as the elevator stops and we get out and make our way to the nurses’station.

“Look who I’ve brought,” I say with a giggle as the other nurses look atus.

I told them all about moving in with Blaine, and I was told everyone was well aware of the attraction we had for one another and most knew it would end up gettingserious.

Paul steps out of a patient’s room and his eyes land on us. He makes his way to us and extends his hand to Blaine. “Looks like you’ve made our Nurse Richard’s dreams come true, Mr. Vanderbilt. She’s never looked happier or had a better attitude.Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Blaine says as he shakes his hand. “She’s made my dreams come truetoo.”

The nurses all give us anawww. “Yes, we’re adorable,” I say, then wave everyone off. “We have trees to put together, ornaments to hang, and rooms to brighten with Christmas cheer. Let us get towork.”

The cluster around us disperses, and we take the first tree and bag of Christmas decorations to Colby’s room. When I push the door open, I see the teen sitting on his bed, Indian style, his headphones on and his electric guitar in his arms, like I usually findhim.

“He loves his present, Blaine. And he’s got a song he wrote. He’d like you to hear it. Make sure you …” I say, then his fingers are on mylips.

“You don’t have to tell me to let him know I like the song. I’m not ajackass.”

With a nod, I walk up to Colby, and he finally opens his eyes and takes off the headphones. His face brightens as he sees Blaine. “Mr. Vanderbilt!Dude!”

“Mr. Vanderbilt?” Blaine asks as the two high-five. “I thought I told you to call meBlaine?”

“Blaine, yeah,” Colby says and nods my way as Blaine still holds my hand, “So, you two, huh? I saw itcoming.”

Blaine and I laugh a little. I blush as Blaine gets another high-five from the kid. “I hear you have a song you wrote. So, can I wear those while you play it?” Blaine askshim.

Colby is quick to take the headphones off and hand them to Blaine. “Yeah, man! I’ve been tweaking it, and I think I’ve got a great song here. Listen and please give me some critical feedback. I need an honest opinion. My family and these nurses tell me what I want to hear, Ithink.”

“Brutal honesty is the only way I know how to dish it out,” Blaine tells him as he sits next to him on the bed and puts on the headphones. “Let it rip anytime you’reready.”

I get busy setting up the little tree as the two have their fun and I love the way Blaine gets along with the kids. He’s going to make a great dad … or I wonder if he wants to be calledpops.