Unbreakable (Unrestrained 4)

“We love each other,” I said, smiling.

“We do,” she said with a light laugh. “We’re disgusting in our schmoopyness.”

I laughed at the Seinfeld reference. I rolled off her when a sudden bout of vertigo struck and laid my head down on the pillow. “Oh, God, I’m still drunk.”

“Put one foot on the floor,” Kate said and rose up on her elbow. “I’ve heard it helps to stop the room from spinning.”

I did, sliding one leg out and hanging it over the side of the bed.

“I hope you don’t think this will become a habit,” I said, rubbing my eyes.

“Drake Morgan,” Kate said in mock disapproval. “I’ve seen you drunk what – maybe three times since I’ve known you. You being a lush is the last thing I worry about.”

I turned to her, watching her face. “What do you worry about?” I said, honestly wanting to know. “Is there something about me that bothers you ? Something you want changed? Tell me and I promise I’ll stop it or correct it. Anything.”

She snuggled closer, a smile on her face. “Anything?”

“Anything,” I said, tightness in my throat that she actually had something that she wanted me to change, and that I was doing something wrong.

She leaned closer, her voice low and conspiratorial. “Sometimes, on occasion, when you’ve been working long hours and are home really late? Well, sometimes, you forget to close the closet door when you put your coat away. It has to stop.”

I turned to look at her face, checking for her expression. She burst out laughing.

“Oh, you,” I said and grabbed her, pulling her against me. “I was serious.”

She pulled back. “What makes you think I wasn’t?” Then she giggled again and kissed me. “Drake Morgan, you are the sweetest most considerate man. There’s nothing I want to change about you. Nothing.” She brushed hair from my eyes. “I love you just the way you are.”

I pulled her against me and we lay like that, me with my leg thrown over the side of the bed, foot touching the floor, her with her arm around my chest, her head on my shoulder. I felt bad that I wasn’t telling her about Lisa Monroe but she was so happy and so good to me, I didn’t want my past to come back and not only haunt us, but ruin her happiness.

Then the room started to spin again.

“I think I have to throw up,” I said and she let go of me and sat up in bed.

I sat up quickly and then ran to the bathroom. I made sure to close the door first and then I ran the water so Kate

wouldn’t hear me.

When I was finished, after washing my face and brushing my teeth yet again, I went back to the bedroom, where Kate was snuggled down into the covers, her expression amused.

“Feeling better?” she said lightly.

“Yes,” I said and slipped into bed. “Complete waste of a polish sausage and sauerkraut.”

“Karma’s a bitch,” she said and laughed.

“That wasn’t Karma. It was a combination of beer, bourbon, and vodka. You’d think a man my age and profession, a doctor, would know better, but you’d be wrong.”

“You’ll be better now,” she said and then kissed my cheek. “Good night.”

“Good night,” I said and kissed her back.

Then I turned out the light.

CHAPTER TEN

Kate

My bridal shower, such as it was, went well although there was a place for a best female friend that was notably empty.