Chapter 8

I shrug, mentally begging her to just take my words and move on. "It was an older woman. She was probably thinking she'd want someone to do this if it were one of her grandkids or something. I don't know." I squeeze her hand. "But what matters is I just wrote a check out to that snob of a woman in the financial department, and it's done. You're going on the list."

Kamila's eyes fill with tears. "Is this for real, Sarh? After everything we've been through, can it really be that simple?"

I lean down and kiss her cheek. "I think we're due some good luck on our side for once, don't you?"

"Hell yeah." She gives a half chuckle, half cry. "I will help you pay back the loan, every cent. I promise."

"Don't you dare even say those words to me. You would do the same for me and more."

"I'm going on the list, Sarah," she says, as if she's reminding herself more than me. "I don't want to get my hopes up, yet my heart is racing right now."

"Let your hopes go as high as they want to, Ka. This was the hard part. Now we're one step closer."

"Yeah, because the hard part isn't my body basically getting sawed in half. I like the way you think."

"Why, thank you." I grin, ignoring the ping of pain at the very real risk her surgery still poses.

"Have you told Laury yet?" she asks.

I nod. "I told her as soon as I got approved."

Another lie. I told Laury about the money going into my account on Sunday. To which she shamelessly asked if I'd earned every cent in the hotel room.

"And you guys kept it from me?"

"I didn't want to say anything until everything was finalized with the hospital."

"I can't believe this."

"Believe it. We always figure out a way. This was and is no different. Now, you just kick this fever's ass and then we'll be good to go. Did you realize you had a fever, or the nurse did?"

"Me. I was hot one minute, and had chills the next, so I figured something had to be going on."

"How do you feel now?"

"Better than earlier. Just really thirsty."

I quickly get out of the chair to get her a water bottle from the few that are always on the windowsill.

"Now tell me something else to cheer me up," she says after taking a long sip.

"Something that will cheer you up more than finding out you're gonna get a kidney?" I laugh.

"Yes. Like, maybe you're going out again this weekend."

I swallow. "I am, actually."

"You are holding out on me these days. A loan, a date. What's next? A wedding?"

I roll my eyes. "Let’s not even talk about either of us getting married. But yes, I'm seeing him again on Saturday."

"It occurred to me, as I was sitting here like I usually am these days, that you never even told me your date's name. I dare say you even went out of your way not to."

I wish I could tell her it seems almost impossible that I didn't utter his name just from the sheer amount of times it rings through my mind. Law. Lawson. It's like he's all I can think about. It would be simple to justify if I were only thinking of the sex, how his marks are just now beginning to fade from my hips. How this morning was the first time I woke up without that ache between my thighs as a reminder of what he and I shared.

But no, it's more than the sex, and that's what bothers me. I looked at my phone far too many times, hoping that a call or text from him would appear on the screen. It hasn't. And somethinginside of me, something I desperately want to deny and subdue, is sad about that. That he probably isn't thinking about me even half as much as I'm thinking of him.

"Well?" Kamila prods.

"His name is Lawson."

"Oh, I like that. It sounds like a gentleman's name."

I can't help it. The laughter bursts out of me before I can control it. Because Law is anything but a gentleman, at least in a hotel room. Kamila arches a brow at me.

"Interesting." She smirks. "Well, as long as he's a gentleman outside of the bedroom."

I gasp and she chuckles. "Don't let me being in this hospital trick you into thinking I'm some nun. I'll have you know one of the very first things on my list of things to do the moment I've recovered is have some good sex."

"Just good?" I tease.

"Fucking great sex."

"Oh, Good Lord," Veronica says as she walks in.

I look at Kamila, trying like hell to hold in my laughter, and see her turning the same beet red color I'm sure I am.

"Oh, don't mind me. " Veronica smiles. "I was young once. I have a tattoo or two in places that you wouldn't believe."

"Well, excuse me." Kamila chuckles.

"Let's check this temperature, and I'll let you ladies go back to your..." She clears her throat. "Conversation."

I remain silent as she checks Kamila's vitals, giving Kamila another sip of water.

"Look at that. Down another degree," Veronica excitedly tells us. "The antibiotics are doing their job, and your sister is here to cheer you up. Just what you needed. I'll come tell you what the bloodwork says when it comes back. You ladies need anything?"

We both shake our heads, and she gives us another smile before leaving.

"Am I right to guess that I'm not getting you to leave tonight?" Kamila asks.

"You know better," I reply. "I'm here until I know you're okay."

"I figured. Tight, uncomfortable hospital chair it is."

And it is exactly as Kamila describes it, too tight, too small, uncomfortable, the blanket scratchy and thin. But there's no way I'm leaving this room tonight. After Veronica comes to tell us the infection is likely from the dialysis, that it's normal, and even expected, I'm still not able to fall asleep. Instead, I watch the TV that's turned down to a low murmur as I look up hotels on my phone. As if I don't already know which one I want to go to next.

It's only because Kamila's fever has all been disappeared that I'm even able to think about Law, and Saturday. It's after 2 a.m. and it's crazy to think he's awake, but I text anyway. It's technically Friday now, right?

Me:The Royal

I bite down on my lip, going back to the site. This time, I look at the most expensive room, since I suspect that's what he got at The Lincoln. The presidential suite. A red and white room, or rooms. No, he won't get that when it's just for us. My phone vibrates, and I close my eyes at the rush of excitement that goes through me. What is wrong with me?

Law:Room 1401. 8pm.

I have to remind myself not to let the fact that he wants to meet an hour earlier mean anything. It's just a random time. Another vibration.

Law:Don't wear panties.