Sapphire Universe (The Universe Series) Read online

  “What, wait a minute…?”

  “It’s alright Nina, I’m right here.” Oh shit… “Don’t worry I wasn’t hurt, I’m just here for you.”

  I turn toward Connor’s voice and he’s giving me a pleading look. All at once I feel relieved that he’s okay, confused that I’m relieved and something else that I can’t put my finger on. With his eyes he’s asking me to let him help, to go along with the whole husband thing and trust him. Not gonna happen dude. Just as I’m about to tell him that he can take his crazy beautiful self back to where he came from, he reaches over and touches my hand. I swear I feel it from my toes to my hair. It’s not electric exactly, but it’s warm and it’s strong. The feeling I get from his touch coupled with his sapphire eyes boring into mine kills all the fight I had.

  “Hi.” I am the queen of genius replies today.

  He must take that as an agreement, because he just smiles and squeezes my hand a bit tighter. “Hi.”

  “Okay Sir,” the red head interjects, “we are going to take her in now. You can follow us.”

  “I’m right behind you.”

  Connor steps out of the ambulance ahead of everyone while the EMT’s wheel me out. Once we get inside and into a room, Connor starts filling out my paperwork and is taking way too much pleasure in getting to ask me all kinds of nosey questions about my medical health. Why did I ever agree to this? I’m eyeing a bed pan with evil plans of throwing at him, when the doctor walks in. He’s a tall good looking man who looks to be in his late 30’s with dark hair and kind eyes.

  “Hello…” He looks at the chart. “Nina. I’m Dr. Swarentzsky. You were in the accident downtown, on the public bus and hit your head on a window.” I suppress a laugh. Doctors always have crazy last names and state the obvious. “Says here you have a possible concussion and a closed head wound.”

  I look over at Connor in confusion and he shrugs. “I’m not sure, Dr…Um Dr. S., but it feels like an “open wound” and it was bleeding.” The doctor smiles warmly at me and laughs. I wish people would stop laughing at me. I’m injured here!

  “That’s a common misconception. A closed head wound means that the skull was not broken. An open wound means that it was.” Oh.

  “Closed it is then.” I say. God I’m such an idiot. Dr. S. smiles and I sneak a nervous glance over at Connor who seems mildly annoyed. I probably sound so stupid. I bet he’s wishing he stayed home today.

  “Let’s take a look.” Dr. S. leans forward and takes off the dressing. “Okay Nina I’m going to put in some stitches and then we’ll monitor you for a while before we send you home, okay.” I nod and brace myself. I hate needles!

  Connor must notice my unease because he moves to stand by my left side, opposite of where the doctor was getting ready to stitch up my head. “Here, you can squeeze as much as you want.” He holds out his hand and when I don’t immediately take it he looks down at me with sincerity in his eyes, “Nina, its okay.” I stare at it debating what to do. He seems so genuine but trust isn’t something that comes easy for me and if I’m being honest, I’m a little scared that if I touch him again, that feeling will return.

  “Okay Nina, I’m going to give you a shot to numb the area.” The good Doc makes the decision for me and I grab Connor’s hand. His warm hand closes around mine and it feels…right. How stupid is that. I barely know the guy. His hands are warm and calloused, but in a way that makes him feel strong. This is a man who earns things. He works for them. I look up and the concern I see on his face softens me and I can’t stop myself from wanting to reassure him.

  “Connor, I can’t even feel it.” I squeeze his hand and smile through my little white lie. The corner of his lip quirks up and he squeezes my hand back.

  Once I’m all stitched up, we spend the next hour just talking. I decide that since I’ll probably never see him again, I can ditch my “avoid at all costs” rule just this once. “So, Connor. You know what I do for a living. I think it’s only fair that you reciprocate.” I’m sure I see a flicker of doubt cross his face, but then just as fast it’s gone.

  “I work for a marketing firm in New York.” He says.

  “What do you do there? Wait let me guess, you market things?” I snicker trying to lighten him up. And I thought I was tense.

  “No I don’t actually deal with any of the clients. I was sort of an assistant to the CEO.”

  That wasn’t at all what I’d expected. “So you get coffee and do his dry cleaning and stuff?”

  He laughs. “You watch way too much TV Nina. Even though I sometimes do those things, being an assistant is actually more like doing your bosses work while he deals with people and shows everything you’ve put together for him at his meetings. They’re the face and you’re like the behind the scenes guy.”

  Huh, learn something new every day. “Okay, so what are you doing in Cheyenne?” I notice him shift a little in his seat.

  “My dad’s in recovery. So I came here to help until he can take care of himself.”

  “I’m sorry is he going to be okay?”

  Connor nods and smiles a little. “He had abdominal cancer, but survived it so he’s okay, just a little weak from the chemo and surgeries.”

  “How horrible! It must be nice to see him doing well. I’ve heard watching a family member go through chemo isn’t pretty.” Talking about his father makes me think of mine and as stupid as it sounds, I’m jealous of him. What I wouldn’t give to trade places with him and be able to take care of my father in a time of need. I immediately throw up a wall to block any more unpleasant thoughts from disturbing my hard earned peaceful mind.

  Connor looks down at his hands. “I wasn’t able to make it down when he went through chemo. My boss is kind of a dick.” He says and I smile at him. I can tell he feels guilty, but it’s not my place to judge. There are some things in my past I’d rather not be judged on either. “I’m an only child so my cousin was helping take care of him, but Tony needed to go back to work and Dad can’t be left alone all the time.” He says smiling back at me slightly.

  Wow, now I feel bad for judging him so harshly. Here he is taking care of me when he has a sick father at home and I’ve been nothing but standoffish. I immediately decide to try and let him off the hook, hoping for both of our sakes that he’ll take the out. “Connor, if you have to go it’s okay.” I say meaning it, but it’s no longer because I don’t want him around. Family comes first. I know this better than anyone.

  “No he goes to play cards and gossip at his friends every day until lunch. And, I don’t have to be there all day. I just have to keep checking on him to make sure he doesn’t fall or something.”

  The fact that he would leave his hot shot job in the big apple to take care of his dad, gives him major points in my book. I decide to try to make up for my behavior, at least as much as I can. “You know what Connor, you might be an alright guy.” Connor’s beautiful features transform into a look of triumph and I’ll be damned if it doesn’t make him more attractive. I’m in so much trouble.

  I’m finally released with instructions to be woken up every hour, take aspirin for the pain, go to a chiropractor for my neck and ice my head. Connor thanks the doctor for me, grabs all the paperwork with a print out on concussions and starts to wheel me to the front.

  “Thanks for all your help. Um do you think I could use your cell, mine is in my bag and I think I left it on the bus?” I ask Connor once we are clear of any medical personnel.

  “I have your bag. Have to tell the family you’re okay?”

  “Oh. Thanks for grabbing it. No, no family. Just a friend that will come pick me up and stay with me for the night.” I don’t elaborate on the no family thing and I hope he doesn’t ask. I don’t talk about that. Ever.

  “No need.”

  Huh? “Excuse me?”

  “You don’t need to call her. My dad is coming to pick us up. We can drop by your place and pick up some stuff for you.” He says matter-of-factly. Oh jeez, he’s crazy. Maybe I should gra
b another doctor.

  “First of all, nuh uh. Not happening dude. Second, give me my phone so I can call my friend. Third, how the hell did you know my friend was a girl?” Lola is a woman but still, he couldn’t have known that. I could have guy friends.

  “Whoa easy Nina. It’s really not a big deal.” He just rolls his eyes at me.

  “Connor, I don’t even know you! I can’t go stay the night with you. Look, it was really sweet of you to stay with me while I was in the hospital, but you have to understand why I can’t go anywhere else with you in my current state. I’ll just call Lola and she’ll come pick me up. If you give me your number I’ll call you in the morning so you know I made it through the night, okay?”

  Connor’s mouth turns up at one side. “Lola? So it is a she huh?” That’s what you got out of that? Men!

  “Yes,” I sigh, exhausted with the exchange, “last time I checked Lola was a woman. Don’t let that fool you though. She has a mean right hook. So if you were thinking of trying any funny business, I’d think again.”

  “Noted.” He smiles and shakes his head at me. “Fine, Miss Stubborn. Have it your way. You really need to get over your trust issues though. This isn’t exactly the land of thieves and liars.” Hmph, if only he knew.

  He pulls my brown leather backpack from his shoulder and retrieves my phone. After a few moments of tapping the screen he hands it back to me with a stern look on his face. I reach for the phone but he keeps his hold on to it till I look up into his eyes.

  “Call me first thing in the morning. Or if something on this sheet happens.” He hands me the sheet with the concussion information, still holding my phone and my gaze. “I mean it Nina.” He lets go of my phone while making a show of folding the paperwork with my address on it and putting it in his back pocket. I don’t think that’s legal, but lying to the hospital about being married probably isn’t either.

  “Deal.” I agree.

  Even if all my red flags are going up, a part of me likes the idea of him being so concerned. It makes no sense for this strange sexy man to put up with my crap just to make sure I’m okay. He must be crazy. I pull up Lola’s number and hit send. The whole time I’m recapping the situation with Lola, assuring her I was fine and working out the details of the situation, Connor stares at me with an unreadable look on his face. My stomach is in knots but I haven’t eaten all day. That’s probably it.

  “Thanks girl, see ya in a minute.” I hang up and make a quick call to the school to let them know what happened. I relay my situation to the secretary and my apologies for not showing. Kate is a really sweet lady and is more concerned with my health than missing class today. Since it’s Friday and I have the weekend to recover I tell her I can be back on Monday then say good bye. As I tuck my cell in my coat pocket, I glance back over at Connor and he smiles. I really need to get some food in me.

  “Can I ask you a question?” Connor asks as he brings his hand to my face to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and I swear I stop breathing. I’m not sure if it’s out of fear of what his question is or because he touched me.

  “Depends.” I’m relieved that my voice is steady.

  “Before you passed out, you mumbled something about hating windows and picking on someone your own size. What did you mean by that?”

  Connor is giving me a look I presume has made every woman before me bow down at his feet. Not this time bucko!

  “I don’t really remember. It was probably just nonsense from hitting my head.” That sounds convincing enough. The truth is, I barely know Connor and even though he seemed to be a decent person, I don’t trust people and men in particular. I know that’s incredibly sexist of me, but I have my reasons. No one needs to know about my propensity to speak to the Universe. To me it’s just acknowledging the thing that helps guide me. I take the things I see as meaningful and use them as my road map. It’s kind of like people who think a black cat crossing your path means something bad is going to happen only the things I pick up on are more specific. Lo says that it’s all in my head and that I’m interpreting the meaningless into messages because it makes me feel like I have some form of warning, or extra awareness. Lola has designated herself my personal therapist, even though I don’t really need one.

  “Oh it sounded like… never mind, you’re probably right.” He says with a shrug. Then he smiles and chuckles. My treacherous stomach flips again. Ah! Food! “Though, the part about the window makes sense. At least you got the last laugh. That hard head of yours isn’t nearly as damaged as the window.” Just then Lola pulls up and jumps out of the car.

  “Yea I sure showed it.” I reply with a grimace.

  “Nina Ryan! You clumsy bitch!” I turn toward my best and only friend striding over, all slim long legs encased in wranglers and a black long sleeve under a red winter vest. Lola looks like the reality of every cowboys dream. Tall, blond, stunning and no nonsense, she makes the opposite sex act like baser creatures most of the time and Connor may be charming, but I’m sure he’s no exception. Blonde bombshell plus breathing male equals mating season. This should be interesting.

  “I swear you’re going to kill yourself one day. I’m going to bubble wrap you next winter!” Lola is barely out of her car before she starts in. She doesn’t even take a breath as she walks up to where Connor and I sit at the front of the building. “Actually, I kind of want to kiss you, because now I won’t have to play hostess to Cowboy What’s-his-buckle at mom and dad’s tonight. Wait till I tell you about this guy Nins! What a total….Oh well heeelllooo there. And you are?” Lo gives Connor her intimidating man eater look. With her eye brow raised and her fists on her hips, that look has reduced many men to puddles of pathetic. I look back at Connor waiting for the eye-bulge, puffed up chest and panty-dropping-persona to take place. To my utter shock, nothing in his expression or posture changes. Damn

  “Connor Wright and you must be Nina’s friend.” Connor extends his hand. No nonsense as well and I’m not even a little happy that he only seems mildly interested after seeing her. Definitely not, I’m just really hungry.

  “Lola.” She says gripping his hand firmly and giving it a jerk. My girl doesn’t do anything half assed. “So Connor, what are doing here with Nina, because it seems she has mentioned me and yet I have never heard of you?” She shoots me look like I had better give her every detail later or she is going to kick my ass, head injury or not. She turns her aqua colored eyes back on Connor and flicks her bouncy blond hair behind her shoulder waiting for his explanation. I’m kind of fascinated by the exchange so I just wait for Connor to respond.

  “I met Nina on the bus today. I was there when she hit her head on the window, before and during the accident.” He glances at me and grins. Jackass! His eyebrows raise and he bursts out laughing. Shit, I must have said that one out loud. I really need pay more attention around this guy.

  “Yea that sounds like Nins.” Lola is trying to hide her amusement at my outburst, or my clumsiness, probably both. “But how did you end up at the hospital with her? You look fine and they won’t let non family members in the ambulance. Trust me, I know this.”

  Connor’s eyes widen. “Just how many times have you needed an ambulance?” This time it’s directed at me. I shrug. “I’m starting to get the bubble wrap comment.” He says to no one in particular. “When she hit her head it started bleeding really badly. They loaded her up without even telling me if she was going to be okay, so I sort of lied and said she was my wife so that I could go with her. I offered to watch her tonight but she insisted that you needed to come and get her.” I look at Lola trying to gauge her reaction.

  “Thanks for taking care of her. I can take it from here.” She reaches for the paperwork on concussions and after putting it in her vest pocket, she gives Connor a sympathetic look and a pat on the shoulder. Hello! I’m the one in the wheelchair! “If you want I could call you in the morning to let you know she did okay through the night.”

  “That’s okay. I already got her number
and gave her mine. Nina will call me tomorrow. Or tonight if there are any issues. We have an understanding.” He smiles at me and squeezes my shoulder. Shit. I can’t even lie to myself anymore. This is not just hunger. At least not of the food variety.

  Lola looks at him like he has two heads. “Nina gave you her number?” She says incredulously then turns the same look on me.

  “I figured it was the least I could do for all the trouble he went through today.” Seriously people let’s move it along here, I’m injured!

  “Yea I guess so.” Lola says and I can tell she isn’t buying it. “Okay girl, let’s get you home and put some ice on that noggin.”

  “Good idea.” And just like that my head starts pounding and my neck feels like a lead pipe. I couldn’t have been that distracted. Could I?

  “Take care of her Lola. Oh and make her sit in the middle seat. It was nice to meet you.” He turns to me and I put up my defenses as he bends down. I prepare myself for a smile, or a chuckle, or even the hair thing. But when he presses his lips against my temple and speaks so close that I can feel his mouth moving against my face “Good bye Nina. I’ll see you soon.” My heart skips a beat and my stomach flips and my skin goose bumps and all that other ridiculous girl crap. Man, I have got to get rid of this guy.

  “Bye Connor.” I say brightly flashing him my best small-town-girl smile ever, because anything is better than a flustered whisper.

  I may be a mess on the inside but I have some control over myself dammit! Connor furrows his eyebrows at my goodbye and rises to stand, still staring at me. Seriously those eyes! Lola helps me get up from the wheelchair and starts walking me to the car. Just when I think it’s safe, Lo suddenly turns and shouts toward Connor, who is still standing at the door.

  “Hey Connor!” At his nod she continues. “What happened to the bus? To cause the accident I mean. Did they say?” Huh, I wonder why I never thought about that.