True Perfection [Aspire 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Allyson Young

further. She needed to stay until Warren woke up.
    “I’m sorry.” Those were the words she would never be able to say often enough. “I will follow Mr. Sinclair’s advice. And thank you for saving Warren, Dr. Wu.”
    The surgeon pressed her hand and nodded to Gordon before leaving. Haley sagged into a chair and leaned into Gordon’s hand when he placed it on her cheek.
    “Good news, Haley. Thank God.”
    “What should I do, Gordon?”
    After a significant pause, Gordon said, “What’s going on, Haley? This isn’t like you. You said you wanted to stay until Warren is okay, and I assumed you meant that. Are you still planning to leave? Move out?”
    Haley welcomed his harsh tone. She deserved it. “No, Gordon, I won’t leave or move out, at least not until…I just thought I should listen to your recommendations, that’s all.”
    Gordon’s hand tightened in her hair, and he lifted her head so that he could look straight into her eyes, giving her a tiny shake when she tried to shift her eyes away. “Are you still in shock, Haley? This isn’t you.”
    “I don’t know what to do,” she pleaded. “I want to do the right thing this time. Please, Gordon.”
    Gordon released her and stepped back, although he didn’t stop staring at her. “I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours, Haley, but we’ll have plenty of time to discuss it over the next few days. Let’s get up to ICU and work out a visiting schedule.”
    Haley was so relieved she felt light-headed. She wanted to stay near Warren until she knew he was going to be okay, but second-guessed herself. It was what she wanted. What if Warren didn’t want her there? He wouldn’t know right now, but if, no, when he woke up and saw her, well, how would he feel about her then? She hid her worry and pretended. She was really good at pretending, and she was going to do all the right things until Warren told her to go away because her attitude had caused too much trouble. Trouble! Like nearly getting him killed could be labelled as trouble. And he could still die. Gordon might think of it earlier, but he would wait until Warren decided to send her packing. Good riddance.
    The ICU was clearly identified and the posted visiting hours were strict and stingy. Haley wanted to kneel on the floor beside Warren’s bed until he told her to go but had to content herself with perching on another uncomfortable chair just outside the door. She periodically walked over to stand on her tiptoes to peer through the window, trying to catch a glimpse of Warren, but was frustrated by the billowing curtains that had been hung strategically to provide some privacy to the patients. Gordon had gone home to pack her some clothes and toiletries after assuring himself that she was no longer so upset and there would be plenty of time before either of them was allowed into the ICU unit. Haley didn’t like being alone, but she absolutely wasn’t going to be any sort of a bother. She was going to be perfect.
    “Ms. Snider?”
    Haley fixed her eyes on the diminutive woman dressed in a pink tunic and matching pants, patterned with little cats. “Yes? That’s me.”
    “Warren, Mr. Chalmers is awake and would like to see you.”
    Haley could barely force her feet to obey and place themselves one in front of the other. Then suddenly she was beside him. Warren’s big body looked small, somehow, in the hospital bed, his dark hair standing out in sharp relief against the white pillow. He was hooked up to all manner of machines that beeped and flickered, and an IV pole stood guard at the head of the bed. Warren’s beautiful blue eyes were open and fixed on her. Haley inched closer and sank to her knees, closing her eyes when his hand again came up to rest on her head.
    “I’m sorry,” she breathed.
    A slight pressure on her head confirmed that he had heard her, and then it ceased. Haley opened her eyes and saw that Warren’s were closed. The nurse tapped her on the shoulder and