“So can you guess the flavor?” Cassandra asked.
“No, but it’s good,” Leanne said, taking another sip of the coffee the pretty nurse had made them. “What is it?”
“Blueberry.”
“Blueberry coffee? How interesting. I wouldn’t think that would taste as good as it apparently does, but it’s delicious.”
“That’s what I told my mom till she had me try a cup at her place. I said, ‘Mom, blueberries don’t go with coffee any more than ketchup goes with peanut butter.’”
Leanne giggled, then glanced toward the living room window at the setting sun, and then back toward her caretaker again. It was amazing how this woman, who was practically a stranger, could cheer her up so fast, along with a cup of coffee. All day long, she’d lain in bed bored out of her mind. She tried to concentrate on reading, but all she could think about was Cass and Kelli, along with just what in the world the future may have in store for her. Her leg ached on and off, and she found herself feeling lonely and a bit depressed, only seeing Cassandra when she needed something. She was surprised she was suddenly being let out of her cage and given this much attention. “Thanks for this little coffee break. I was kind of down in a funk for a while there.”
“Aw, I didn’t know that. But you’re quite welcome. I’m also glad the swelling is finally going down.”
“Me too, even if it still hurts a bit.”
“It will for a while. I just thank God all you ended up with was a nasty bruise. You were very lucky, and of course, so was I. I hate to sound selfish, Leanne, but I’ve had enough trouble in my life.”
“I know, and I’d still like a hint as to just what kind of trouble you mean.”
Cassandra looked away, almost sorry she’d said that.
“It’s ok, it’s ok,” Leanne assured her. “We don’t have to go there.”
Cassandra rose from the couch. “Well, at least not tonight.”
She took Leanne’s empty mug and Leanne felt like kicking herself. I really know how to put my foot in my mouth, she thought bitterly to herself.
“Ready for a shower?” Cassandra asked after she returned from bringing their mugs into the kitchen.
Leanne nodded. “Sure.”
After her shower, Leanne thought Cassandra would get her settled back in bed for the night. Instead, she said, “Let me have a look at that leg, then we can watch some TV or a movie together if you’d like.”
“I’d like that very much.”
Leanne lay on her bed with just a towel wrapped around her as Cassandra inspected her leg. Her touch burned, but Leanne knew it had nothing to do with heat and that the “heat” was just her response to the sexy woman’s gentle touch. She hoped she wasn’t blushing.
“Still getting better, but not as fast as I hoped,” Cassandra said.
“Sorry I’m so slow at this.”
“Oh, it’s ok,” Cassandra said with a reassuring smile. “It’s not your fault.”
“Even so, you must be anxious to have your house back to yourself by now.”
“Well, no, the company is nice every now and then. It’s only been a day anyway.”
“I really thank you a lot,” Leanne said as she was led back down the hallway and into the living room after she was helped into one of Cassandra’s oversized tees. “Not just for taking care of me, but you’ve really helped get my mind off of Kelli for a while. I know we’re done and over with and that I’ll have to go back there, get my shit, and get a place of my own. For now, though, it’s nice to have someone distracting me from reality.”
“No problem. Just as long as I’m not seen as a replacement of sorts. Not that you would necessarily see me or anything else in that manner, but I’m pretty comfortable with singlehood and I expect to be this way for quite a while.”
“Oh, you’re not a replacement, even though you’re hot. I–oh my God! I just admitted that I’m attracted to you. Sorry about that.” Leanne felt her cheeks burn.
“It’s ok. Nothing wrong with that,” Cassandra said with a smile as she guided her onto the couch.
Cassandra sat in a nearby recliner so Leanne could stretch out comfortably on the couch. They picked out a thriller from an online service that streamed TV and movies straight to desktops, laptops, and Internet-ready TVs. Out of popcorn at the moment, Cassandra offered some chocolate chip cookies instead, which they nibbled on, along with diet sodas.
It was the movie’s premiere, and Cassandra was impressed with the way Leanne could guess what would happen in the upcoming scenes. “Can’t deny you’re pretty smart,” she said.
Leanne laughed. “You say that almost as if you hate to admit it.”
Cassandra’s smile seemed just as reluctant.
“I’m also smart enough to finally figure out what’s going on with you.”
Cassandra rolled her eyes. “Go on. I can’t wait to hear what you’ve come up with this time.”
“A corrupt cop.”
“A corrupt cop?”
“Well, you hardly seem like the criminal type, so unless you’re with the mafia or something, some cop either tried to pin something on you, or you pissed one off somewhere and he’s seeking his revenge.”
“If that were it, then why doesn’t he just come after me?”
Leanne opened her mouth to speak but then realized she didn’t have an answer for that one. “I don’t know. Maybe you’re supposed to testify against him in court.”
“If I were in danger of anyone, I’d probably be in the Witness Protection Program.”
Leanne weighed the nurse’s words. “Hmm… I’ll figure it out sooner or later.”
“Or not until I decide to tell you, and who knows, I just may leave you in the dark.”
“Oh, no, you don’t. You promised to tell me someday,” Leanne reminded her. “I don’t mind little white lies occasionally, dirty dishes, or a little procrastination. But broken promises are a whole different story.”
Cassandra regarded her with mixed expressions as she leaned sleepily on one hand, elbow resting on the arm of her chair. “Did I ever tell you that you’re as annoying as you are intelligent?”
Leanne laughed and then Cassandra yawned. After Cassandra brought some things into the kitchen and double-checked the doors, she guided Leanne back into bed. She also gave her a couple of pain pills to help her sleep.
“Pain or no pain, I’ve been sleeping better here than at the apartment because now I no longer have people slamming doors and cabinets and blasting music and TVs all around me.”
“Oh, yeah, I hate apartments myself, so I hear you on that one. Ok, sweet dreams. Remember to give a yell if you need me.”
“Thanks,” Leanne said with a sleepy smile.
Cassandra left her door ajar a few inches and went into her room, also leaving her door open a bit so she could hear if Leanne needed anything. Through sleepy eyelids, Leanne gazed at her cracked door. Shadows flickered in the soft glow of Cassandra’s bedside lamp as she prepared for bed. She wondered if her body was as nice as her face, then felt guilty for thinking this. She’d just broken up with Kelli, for God’s sake! Should she be hot for someone this soon afterward?
Eh, I’m only human, Leanne reasoned a moment later. We can’t help who we’re attracted to and when. Hell, I was attracted to a couple of people while I was with Kelli and I know that’s normal. No one’s attracted to just one person, no matter how devoted they may be to one person and one person only.
With that reality check in mind, Leanne allowed herself to relax and closed her eyes just as the light beyond her door plunged into darkness when Cassandra turned her light out.
Leanne let her muscles sink into the soft mattress beneath her. Slowly, she took in a deep breath, inhaling a slightly spicy scent which lingered in the air. Suddenly, she felt like she was no longer alone. Her eyes snapped open in the darkness. She looked toward the door. A shadow moved within the doorway.
“Hey,” Cassandra softly called, “you still up?”
“Yeah.”
The light flicked on and Cassandra approached the bed. “How about keeping a lonely, middle-aged woman some company who’s, well, still only human even if she doesn’t want any strings attached?”
Leanne, as tired as she was, found herself both surprised and pleased by the offer. “I’d like that,” she said.
Cassandra peeled back the covers. “Come on. There’s more room in my bed.”
Leanne sat up and then let the sexy nurse lead the way.
“I don’t know what your expectations usually are, so I hope you don’t have any,” said Cassandra.
“I don’t,” Leanne assured her. “I’m open to casuals, I’m open to seriousness. Whatever’s meant to be, you know?”
“Yup,” Cassandra said, easing her onto the far side of her queen size bed.
“Such a beautiful room,” Leanne noted.
“I think so, too. Everyone asked why I did it up in such dark colors, but bedrooms are for sleeping. Therefore, why should they be bright and sunny, as some people like to call it?”
“Darkness is much more relaxing,” Leanne noted as Cassandra turned out the light and pulled her securely against her.
“Buona notte, Leanne,” said Cassandra.
“Buona notte anche a te,” Leanne replied.
Leanne heard a slight gasp of surprise in the dark. “Boy, you really are full of surprises, aren’t you?”
Leanne smiled to herself in the darkness as she let sleep overtake her, not giving a damn what it was that had this woman so determined to shy away from the police.
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