“I will. When do you guys get to come home?”
“Doc said he should be able to discharge Mac in a couple of days. She’s not happy about having to stay longer, but they want to give her brain a chance to rest before sending her home without medical supervision.”
“Better safe than sorry.”
“That’s whatIsaid.” Coop huffed. “Anyway, I’d better get back in there before she starts World War Three with the nurses. Take care of yourself, Ems. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay.”
“Love ya.”
Emma smiled. “Love you, too.”
Ending the call, she turned and handed Trace back his phone. “Thanks.”
“All good?”
“Yeah. Mac may get to come home soon, but there’s been no change in Jake’s condition.”
Trace’s throat worked as he swallowed hard. “He’s a tough SOB. I’m sure he’ll be okay.”
It was obvious he was trying to convince himself of that as much as he was her.
“You really care about him, don’t you?”
His head dipped in a single nod. “We’ve been friends a long time.”
Without thinking, Emma put her hand to his forearm. Ignoring the same zing of electricity she’d felt before, she offered a sincere, “I’m sorry.”
A set of eyes fell to her hand, then back up to her. “Like I said, I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
“Right.” She let her hand fall to her side. After several moments of awkward silence, Emma forced a smile and said, “Well, I’m still really tired, so I’m going to head back to bed.”
It wasn’t a total lie. The hours of sleep she’d gotten before hadn’t been the most restful. Of course, it didn’t hurt that going back to sleep would give her an excuse to ignore the giant elephant that now felt as if it was taking up the entire freaking suite.
Trace didn’t respond. He just stood there, staring down at her with that same, statuesque expression he always seemed to wear.
Okay, then...
“Night.”
Turning her back on him, Emma had taken one full step when she felt his strong hand on her wrist.
“Not so fast.”
With a sharp intake of air, she swung her confused gaze back up to his. “Excuse me?”
“We need to talk.”
“No.” She shook her head. “We really don’t.”
“You kissed me.”
Yes, we’ve already established that.“I said I was sorry.”
And she had no desire to continue dredging up the humiliating moment.
Attempting to leave, Emma once again tried walking away. Trace’s gentle-yet-strong hold didn’t allow it.