Walter was already nursing an injury, and with Evangeline’s five burly uncles against him, it was clear he was the underdog.
“No.”
While talking, Walter had nearly finished his snacks. He set his hand down a bit too forcefully and winced as the motion aggravated his wound.
The sharp pain from the cut caught him off guard, and he clenched his teeth to stop any sound from escaping. His face went white, and a sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Evangeline noticed the subtle shift in his demeanor and moved closer with
concern.
“Walter, are you okay?”
“It’s nothing.”
Evangeline pushed aside the arm Walter had put up like a barrier, his voice icy as he tried to show her the door.
“David’s not around. Got anything else? If not, beat it–I’ve got work to do.” Before, Evangeline would have walked away without a word. With Walter’s stubborn act, there was no way she could just leave him like this.
“Not resting with an injury? What’s the big idea?” Her temper flared, and her words came out sharp.
Walter shot her a sidelong glance, his lips thin and tight. “Evangeline, since when is my business any of your concern?”
“We’re not officially divorced yet, so yeah, it is my concern!”
Walter was taken aback. That line, one he had used so often, was thrown back at him by Evangeline.
In a swift move. Evangeline grabbed his arm and yanked him over to the
hurt because of her.
Without giving him a chance to protest, she reached for his shirt.
Walter jerked back instinctively. “What the heck?”
“What do you think? I need to check out that wound!”
Evangeline was livid.
She could not believe how someone could be so careless about their own well–being! He was clearly hurt, yet there he was, playing the tough guy and trying to work.
Driven by her anger, Evangeline moved quickly.
Before Walter could react, she saw the wound on his lower abdomen.
It was wrapped in thick bandages, and though they should have hidden the damage, she could see the dark red stains of blood seeping through.
“You’re bleeding. Don’t you feel pain at all? Why haven’t you seen a doctor? Where’s the first aid kit? You’ve got one in your office, right, Walter?”
gave
Walter a quick nod. “Drawer by the bed in the break room.”
Evangeline huffed and glared at him in annoyance, but her feet betrayed her, speeding up despite herself.
The office was usually so still and quiet, but the click–clack of Evangeline’s heels on the floor seemed to warm the place up, sending that warmth right. into Walter’s heart.
+35 BONUS
Walter did not pause to think before he answered, and he even had the nerve. to press closer, his lips barely touching her ear as he whispered, “I’ve been thinking about this for a while. Ever since they put in these windows, I’ve imagined how amazing it would be to have you right here.”
Pinned against the window, a chill ran down Evangeline’s spine as she looked out at the sea of lights below, her heart pounding so hard she felt like she might cry.
“Stay still! You’ll hurt yourself more…”
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