Page 39 of Dueling Flames

“Of course. How are you feeling?”

“Bored and restless. I got in trouble for walking around my tiny curtain room.”

I kissed her hand. “What did the doctor say?”

“Just a concussion.” She shrugged, like it was an everyday occurrence.

I narrowed my eyes. “Just a concussion? It’s serious, Lissa.”

“I know. I just hate being here.”

“Anything else? No broken bones or internal bleeding? Any bruising?”

She squeezed my hand. “Just bruising from the fall. I’m going to be fine.”

“Good. I was worried.” I put the back of her hand against my face.

We stared at each other for the longest time. I regretted my decision to step away from her this week to sort out my own feelings. She deserved someone who didn’t hide away during conflict. I didn’t know if I could be that person for her before, but now I knew I’d do anything.

“Guess what?” Lissa smirked. “Chelsea’s pregnant.”

I smiled. “That’s amazing. Wait. Are we happy about this?”

“Yes.” Lissa laughed. “Everyone is excited.”

“Good. Then I’m excited. Congratulations to her.”

“So, with her being pregnant, I need to find a new belayer.”

“That’s the person that feeds the rope to you as you climb and lowers you down at the end?”

She nodded. “I was wondering if you’d like to do it. There’s time for you to learn. If you’re interested.”

“Absolutely. My physical therapist said I should be released to full duty in about two weeks.”

She turned her hand to cup my cheek. “That’s great.”

I kissed the palm of her hand. “Lissa, I’m sorry.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I have a concussion. You’ll have to tell me what you’re sorry for.”

I studied her face and spotted the lie in the way the corner of her lips moved. But I’d play the game. “I’m sorry that I avoided you all week. I was mad and confused and wanted to wait until I’d calmed down.”

“Okay.” She lightly scratched my jaw. “Are you going to tell me why you were mad and confused?”

“I overheard the captain ask if you still wanted to switch partners.”

She looked at me for a few moments. “And you didn’t stick around to hear my answer?”

“The guys were calling me.”

She sighed. “I told the captain I was happy with you as a partner. My request to change partners came from a place of frustration and anger. The day we almost damaged the hydraulics on the Jaws of Life.”

“So you don’t want a new partner?” I gripped her hand tighter.

“No.”

I stood up and hugged her, practically laying on top of her on the bed. “I was so scared of your answer to that question.”