Twice as Sexy (The Sexy 2)

“It’s doing the best thing for your wife, Mr. Davis,” the doctor said.

Mack nodded.

Scarlett’s eyes glistened with tears.

But as Tanner glanced from father to daughter, they looked … relieved, something he could understand. Her mother would be under constant supervision. She couldn’t hurt herself.

“A social worker will be by to help you with paperwork.” The doctor placed a hand on Mack’s shoulder. “As soon as she’s settled in a room, we’ll let you see her.”

“Thank you,” Scarlett and Mack said at the same time.

Hours later, Scarlett had seen her still-nonresponsive mother. Tanner had seen her at her weakest and at her strongest. Watching her handle her personal crisis made him fall for her even more. She didn’t need him but he knew she appreciated his presence, and he was happy to be able to give her his strength when hers failed.

With exhaustion seeping in, Scarlett and Tanner settled Mack in an Uber since he’d accompanied the ambulance to the hospital. And their own car picked them up to go back to the city.

“God, I’m beat.” Scarlett yawned, then met his gaze. “Thank you. I don’t know why you stuck it out all night. Want to explain?”

“First, don’t thank me, okay?” He didn’t want her to feel obligated to him in any way.

She nodded, her eyes on his.

“Second, I stayed because I care. And because I understand what you’re going through. Well, sort of.” Levi once again came to mind.

“How–”

Tanner placed a finger over her lips. “No questions tonight, okay? We can crash and deal with everything else in the morning.”

She exhaled a long breath. “Sounds good. Can we drop you off first?” she offered.

He grinned at her. “When I said we can crash, I meant we can crash. Together. Somehow I think you just need to be held tonight. And I know I need to hold you.”

And when they finally did fall into bed together, Scarlett passed out immediately but Tanner lay awake thinking. He still hadn’t told her his secrets but he’d fallen harder for the prosecutor. And if she had walls up before she knew his truths, what would she do once she found out?

Chapter Five

Scarlett woke up in her own bed with unfamiliar heat bracketing her body. Yesterday’s events came back to her immediately—her mother trying to kill herself and the man who was currently wrapped around her, who’d had her back every step of the way. Not ready to face the day, she closed her eyes and sighed.

“Are you up?” Tanner asked from behind her.

“I don’t want to be.”

He squeezed her tighter. “How about you call your dad and reassure yourself your mom is okay?”

She nodded and reached for her cell on the nightstand. A few minutes later, she’d spoken to her father, who was calmer and in a much better mental state than last night.

She disconnected the call and put the phone back on the nightstand before rolling to face Tanner. “Mom had a peaceful night.” Scarlett had relaxed after finding that out.

“Are you going to go over to the hospital today?” he asked.

She met his gaze. “I don’t know. Dad says he’s meeting with the social worker this morning, and he seems to have things under control. As much as I hate to admit it, I think a treatment facility is the best place for her.”

Tanner nodded in understanding. “I got that feeling from both of you last night. I’m sure it’s exhausting worrying about your mother all the time. And your father has done all he can at home.”

The familiar lump rose in her throat along with tears floating in her eyes. “It’s sad. And frustrating. Sometimes I’m angry that she won’t just snap out of it even though I know she can’t control it. Mental illness is no different than any physical one that needs treatment. Either a person responds to it or they don’t.”

He tucked her hair behind her ear. “Well, she has a good family and support, and maybe your dad needs a break. This solution will give him one.”

She nodded. “I hope insurance covers things.” She knew her father had a good medical plan but not extra money to keep her mother in a facility indefinitely.

“And that’s why the social worker gets involved. You said your dad has things handled. Why don’t you take the day off and give yourself a chance to accept and process things. If you decide you want to head over to the hospital later, we can do that.”

“But work–”

He shook his head. “You already told your boss you didn’t know if you’d be in today. Cut yourself some slack. This is a legitimate personal family emergency.”

His words made sense and she needed the space from both the pressures of the office and the ones at home. She relaxed on her side, her head against the pillow, staring into his eyes. “You’re persuasive, Mr. Grayson.”