Heidi pressed her hand against her head. “No. A lot of it is fuzzy.”
“I don’t remember you drinking that much,” she said. She felt awkward and didn’t know how Heidi would respond. But if there was one thing Angie knew about being a personal trainer, she always broached difficult topics head-on.
Cole reached up and wrapped his finger around the end of her ponytail. She bit her lip, remembering the bite of pressure when he tugged her hair. He did it to get her attention, either to tease or to warn. She’d almost forgotten how they had silently communicated.
“I don’t drink. All those calories, you know?” she said in a rush. “It’s either juice or water.”
“I suggest that to my clients all the time,” Angie murmured. Heidi hadn’t been drinking? That threw out the theory that she was too drunk to stand. Or was the maid of honor lying? She couldn’t remember what Heidi had been drinking. She hadn’t paid any attention.
Angie wasn’t sure if she could trust Heidi’s answer. Avoiding calories was something she expected from Heidi, but it didn’t ring true. Angie also remembered the spilled drink next to Heidi when they had placed her in the recovery position.
Angie jumped a little when she felt Cole’s fingertips trail down her spine. “Do you know when you’ll get out of here?” she asked in a rush.
“I’m under observation. I’m told it’s something they have to do for head injuries.” Heidi bit her lip as if she were reluctant to say something. “But the strangest thing happened.”
“Oh? What?” Angie’s breath caught in her throat as Cole dragged his fingers up and down her back. Did he think it was comforting? She was breathing fast as her entire world centered on the gentle caress of his fingertips.
“My parents called to see if I was okay,” Heidi said, her eyes wide as she revealed the news. “I haven’t talked to them in years. Not since they kicked me out of the family after I...well, there was a time during college when I was out of control. I thought they didn’t want to have anything to do with me. I didn’t contact them even after I got my life back on track because I thought they gave up on me. I have no idea how they found out where I was or what happened to me.”
“I guess they’ve always been looking out for you,” Cole said quietly. “They just needed a reason to reach out.”
As Heidi leaned back on her pillow to consider what he said, Angie looked up at Cole and gave him a warning glare. “Well, Heidi, we should go so you can get some rest. I hope you’ll still be at the wedding.”
Heidi’s mouth trembled. “The doctors don’t think that will be possible.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “I feel terrible about letting Brittany down. She’s never going to forgive me.”
“Don’t worry about her. She—” Angie forgot what she was about to say as she felt Cole’s hand glide against the curve of her hip. She had to get out of here before she bucked against his touch. “This wasn’t your fault.”
“Thanks,” Heidi said as she watched Angie move away from Cole and take a few steps for the door. “And thanks for the flowers.”
“You’re welcome. Get better soon!” Angie hurried out of the room but she couldn’t escape. She didn’t have to look back to know that Cole was right behind her.
* * *
COLE SAID A quick goodbye to Heidi and then followed Angie. She was moving fast, almost breaking into a run. He was tempted to reach out and grab her ponytail. Wrap it around his hand and hold her still.
He caught up with her several rooms down and blocked her path. “What’s the rush?”
She looked over her shoulder as if she were focused on a destination. “I had to get out of there before you blew your cover.”
She thought he was blowing their cover? He wasn’t the one who had bolted. He would have liked to have asked a few more questions but the opportunity was gone. He had to admit, though, that Angie’s questions were helpful. She did well for her first interrogation. “We were very convincing.”
Angie rolled her eyes and leaned against the wall. “First you talked about the parents as if you had intimate knowledge of the situation,” she whispered fiercely. “And then you went a little overboard with the public displays of affection.”
Was that why she abruptly ended the interview? Was his touch unbearable to her now? He wanted to stroke her skin and curl her against his side. He wished she would respond by boldly touching him, publicly acknowledging his claim with a simple gesture or touch. Yet she had to get away from him.