Greta nodded. As did the two men for some reason.
The doctor gave a quick wave before hastily walking out.
Mel smiled awkwardly at the two men. It occurred to her she didn’t even know their names. “Um... I’m Mel.”
They exchanged a glance between them. Then the taller one stepped forward. “I’m Ray. This is Sal.” He motioned to his friend, who politely nodded.
More awkwardness ensued as all four of them stood silent.
“I’m Greta,” the older woman suddenly and very loudly offered.
Both men said hello. Finally, Greta reached for Mel’s arm. “C’mon, kiddo. Let’s get you dressed. Then we’ll call for a cab so we can get you home.”
Ray stepped forward. “That won’t be necessary. We’ll take you anywhere you need to go.”
Ray sighed with relief for what must have been the hundredth time as the old lady directed them to the front of a small eatery not far from where the accident had occurred. Thank goodness that Mel appeared to be all right. But she was sporting one devil of a shiner on her right eye and the whole side of her face looked a purple mess.
For some inexplicable reason, his mind kept referring to the moment he’d picked her up and carried her to the car. The softness of her as he’d held her, the way she’d smelled. Some delicate scent of flowers combined with a fruity shampoo he’d noticed when her head had been under his nose.
“This is our stop,” Greta declared and reached for the door handle.
Ray immediately got out of the car to assist Mel out onto the street. After all, the older woman looked barely able to get herself moving. She’d actually dozed off twice during the short ride over. Ray hadn’t missed how Mel had positioned herself to allow Greta to lean against her shoulder as she snored softly. Despite her injury. Nor how she’d gently nudged her friend awake as they approached their destination.
Who was taking care of whom in this scenario?
How in the world was this frail, seemingly exhausted older lady supposed to keep an eye on her injured friend all night?
Ray would never forgive himself if Mel had any kind of medical disaster in the middle of the night. Despite his reassurances, the doctor had made it clear she wasn’t completely out of the woods just yet.
“My sister and I live in a flat above this diner, which we own and manage,” Greta informed him around a wide yawn as the three of them approached the door. She rummaged around in her oversize bag for several moments, only to come up empty.
“Dang it. I guess I left my keys behind when I rushed over to the hospital.”
She reached for a panel by the side of the door and pressed a large button. A buzzer could be heard sounding upstairs. Several beats passed and...nothing.
Mel offered him a shy smile. Her black hair glistened like tinsel where the streetlight hit it. The neon light of the diner sign above them brought out the bright evergreen hue of her eyes. Well, the one that wasn’t nearly swollen shut anyway. The poor woman probably couldn’t wait to get upstairs and lie down.
Unfortunately, she would have to wait a bit longer. Several more moments passed. Greta pressed the button at least half a dozen more times. Ray wasn’t any more reassured as they continued to wait.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the sound of shuffling feet could be heard approaching as a shadow moved closer to the opposite side of the door. When it finally opened, they were greeted by a groggy, disheveled woman who was even older than Greta. She didn’t even look fully awake yet.
It was settled. There was no way he could leave an injured woman with the likes of these two ladies. His conscience wouldn’t allow it. Especially not when he was partly responsible for said injury to begin with.
“I’m glad that’s over with.” Saleh started the SUV as soon as Ray opened the passenger door and leaned into the vehicle. “Let’s finally get to our hotel, then. I could use a long hot shower and a tall glass of something strong and aromatic.” He reached for the gearshift before giving him a quizzical look. “Why aren’t you getting in the car?”
“I’ve decided to stay here.”
Saleh’s eyes went wide with shock. “What?”
“I can’t leave the young lady, Saleh. You should see the older sister who’s supposed to watch Mel with Greta.”
“You mean Greta’s the younger one?”
“Believe it or not.”
“Still. It’s no longer our concern. We’ve done all we can. She’ll be fine.” He motioned with a tilt of his head for Rayhan to get in the car.
“I’m going to stay here and make sure of it. You go on ahead and check us into the hotel.”
“You can’t be serious. Are you forgetting who you are?”
Ray bit down on his impatience. Saleh was a trusted friend. But right now, he was the one close to forgetting who he was and whom he was addressing.
“Not in the least. I happen to be part of the reason that young lady is up there, sporting all sorts of cuts and bruises, as well as a potential head injury, which needs to be monitored. By someone who can actually keep an eye on her with some degree of competence.”
“Your Highness, I understand all that. But staying here is not wise.”
“Don’t call me that, Saleh. You know better.”
“I’m just trying to remind you of your position. Perhaps I should also remind you that this isn’t an announced state visit. If these ladies were to find out who you are, it could leak to the rest of the world before morning. The resulting frenzy of press could easily result in an embarrassing media nightmare for the monarchy. Not to mention Verdovia as a whole.”
“They won’t find out.”
Saleh huffed in exasperation. “How can you be sure?”
Ray ignored the question as he didn’t really have any kind of adequate answer. “I’ve made up my mind,” he said with finality.
“There’s more to it. Isn’t there, Rayhan?”
Ray knew exactly what his friend meant. The two had known each other their whole lives, since they were toddlers kicking around a sponge soccer ball in the royal courtyard. He wouldn’t bother to deny what his friend had clearly observed.
“I saw the way you were looking at her,” Saleh threw out as if issuing a challenge. “With much more than sympathy in your eyes. Admit it. There’s more to it.”
Ray only sighed. “Perhaps there is, my friend.” He softly shut the car door.
Ray was asleep on Frannie and Greta’s couch. Mel popped two anti-inflammatory pills into her mouth and then took a swig of water to swallow them down. Her borrowed nightgown felt snug against her hips. It belonged to Greta, who could accurately be described as having the figure of a very thin teenage boy. A description that didn’t fit Mel in any way.
The feel of her nightwear wouldn’t be the only thing bothering her tonight, Mel figured. The man lying in the other room only a few feet away would no doubt disrupt her sleep. Had she ever felt so aware of a man before? She honestly couldn’t say, despite having been married. He had such a magnetism, she’d be hard-pressed to put its impact on her into words. Everything about him screamed class and breeding. From the impeccable and, no doubt, expensive tailored clothing to the SUV he and his friend were driving around in, Ray was clearly not lacking in resources. He was well-mannered and well-spoken. And judging by what he’d done earlier tonight, he was quite kindhearted.
Ray had feigned being too