Silently, I studied his face. He didn't look sorry.
"Why not?" I said.
"Because I've taken an oath."
I rolled my eyes. "Oh please. Do I look dumb to you?"
"No," he said. "What you look is so damn beautiful, it hurts just to look at you."
"Now you're just sucking up."
"Yeah. But that doesn't mean it's not true."
"Are you ever gonna tell me?" I said.
"Yup."
"So why won't you now?"
"Because we're not married." He grinned. "Yet."
My lips twitched. "Yet?"
"A guy can hope, right?"
"C'mon, be serious."
"You think I'm not?"
"Honestly?" I said. "I'm not sure."
He grinned. "Good. Because whatever happens, I'm gonna do it right. Because you deserve it, and a hell of a lot more."
My knees were trembling, and I was having a hard time focusing. Was he saying what I thought he was saying? And if so, how did I feel about that? I heard a giggle. Oh God, it was coming from me. My face blazing, I slapped both hands over my mouth and tried to look serious.
Lawton reached up, gently tugging my elbow until I tumbled down next to him, lying with him in the hospital bed, shoes and all.
I was laughing so hard, I couldn't stop. "You're gonna get me trouble," I said.
"From who?" he asked.
"The nurse."
"Eh, if she gives you a hard time, we'll just leave."
"You can't do that," I said.
"Why not? We'll just walk out and take care of the paperwork later."
I believed him, too. "So tell me," I said. "What happened that night we first met? Obviously, you lost a fight, but–"
He shook his head. "I didn't lose."
"But I saw you," I said. "No offense, but you were a mess. If you won, then the other guy must've ended up dead."
I froze. It would explain so much, the cigarette burns, him getting tossed out of a vehicle that barely slowed down, his warnings for me to stay quiet.
"Oh my God," I said. "Isthatwhat happened? You killed someone?"
