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"How does that make any sense?" Cole asked, clearly baffled

PJ laughed "What sheout a friend may not always make sense, but we do it anyway because that’s what friends do"

"Is it any wonder rumbled

Cathy rolled her eyes "Clueless is about the right description for eneral Besides, as much as I didn’t like it, PJ did what she had to do at the tiaze "That doesn’t ain"

"Yes, ma’am," PJ said meekly "My team has made me see the error in my ways"

"Good men Always did like them"

"What? You just said we’re all a bunch of clueless idiots," Cole sputtered

Cathy grinned "Can’t have you getting the big head"

Cole shook his head as Cathy set the last suture Then heover Cathy’s shoulder "How’s it look?"

"Donovan did a good job," Cathy said "The wound is clean and free of infection I’d still like to send her home with a prescription for antibiotics just in case If she notices any redness or swelling around the wound, she needs to start on the a fever, feels bad or just feels off in any way, you’ll need to bring her back in so we can have a look-see Donovan did an adequate job of stitching but I wanted to get in there and see forwith"

"What kind of recovery ti at?" Cole asked

Cathy turned to face Cole "Well, if she takes it easy and stays off her feet and doesn’t try to do tooher to do just that"

Cole snorted "Tell uys?" PJ broke in "Hello? I’ about ave her a dismissive look "I know better than to tell you all this with no witnesses You only hear what you want to hear and disregard the rest At least now Cole will knohat you’re supposed to do and make sure you do it"

"Sorouched

Cathy grinned "That’s what friends do, sugar"

PJ s"

"Just focus on getting better That’s the best thanks you can give me" Her expression sobered and she put her hand on PJ’s arhtly "I worry about you, PJ"

"You don’t have to worry about her anymore," Cole said firmly "I fully intend to make sure she takes it easy and does what she’s supposed to"

Cathy’s eyes widened and then a broad smile split her lips "Well, okay then It would seelance in her direction, those blue eyes glea with promise "Oh yeah, most definitely"

Cathy took a step back, surveying PJ with apparent satisfaction Then she pursed her lips and said, "I’d give you a pair of crutches, but so tells me you wouldn’t use them"

PJ wrinkled her nose in distaste "No You’re right I wouldn’t I li to kill ed "Hardheaded woive you back to Cole so you can be a pain in his ass instead of a pain in erly off the bed She held on to the edge for a longoff to stand on her own

Cole hovered at her elbow, his brow creased with concern But he didn’t make a fuss or a scene in front of Cathy, which she totally appreciated

He did remain solidly at her side as she maneuvered her way out of the exam room and into the hall

"You okay?" he asked quietly when they got outside the hospital

She nodded "Yeah Hurts like a mofo, but I can deal"

He helped her into the passenger seat of his truck and then reached over her to snag a bottle of water in the center console Still standing there, he opened the glove co the pain o ahead and take another pill so you stay ahead of the pain And if you want to take a rain check on tonight, we can go back to the house so you can take a nap on the couch"

She laid her hand over his and he went completely still She could feel the hitch in his breath as it stuttered over his lips

"I want to go, Cole I’ll take the pill and I’ll be fine I’ forward to ourdate"

He touched his knuckle to her face and brushed it down the curve of her cheekbone Then he simply leaned in and kissed her forehead "So am I"

CHAPTER 29

"OH roaned as she pushed her plate away "That was so freaking good"

Cole had taken her to this little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that resembled a shack twenty minutes from his house They served a variety of country-style food, but the seafood was out of this world

She’d ordered the seafood platter and da

"I practically live here when I’reat and the prices are reasonable No sense cooking for one when I can come here"

"If I had a place like this to eat, I’d never cook either," she said

"Glad you enjoyed it You need a few rew serious "You lost a lot of weight over the last six ht you couldn’t afford to lose You could stand to pack on a few enuinely concerned, his comment would irk her But it was obvious he orried, and she couldn’t fault him for that She’d had plenty to say to hi a bullet It was her turn to shut up and take it

The waitress walked up and PJ sat back with a satisfied sigh while Cole settled the bill So far this dating thing had beennice They’d had a great meal and casual conversation It had been fun, and as the last tiood ti but fun

For that matter the only fun times she could recall were the times she spent with Cole and her team They ho she felt at-ho her frohts