Chapter 11 - THE FIRST TIME HE ASKED
Months passed.
Enzo made steady progress in rehabilitation.
He became more independent with transfers, wheelchair mobility, and daily routines.
His medical team continued managing the complications of his spinal cord injury.
Some days were good.
Others were difficult.
Wren remained his nurse.
But the emotional connection between them had grown impossible to ignore.
One evening, Enzo asked her to sit.
She hesitated.
"Is this about your medication?"
"No."
"Your shoulder?"
"No."
"Did you break another whiskey glass?"
He smiled.
"No."
Wren sat.
Enzo looked nervous.
She had never seen him nervous.
"I need to tell you something," he said.
Wren's heart began beating faster.
"I care about you."
She looked down.
He continued.
"More than I should, given that you're responsible for my care."
Wren looked up.
Enzo took a breath.
"I don't want to put you in a position where your job depends on how you respond."
She remained silent.
"So I'm going to arrange for another qualified nurse to take over."
Wren stared.
"Are you firing me?"
"No."
He smiled faintly.
"I'm trying not to become another man who uses power to make choices for you."
Wren's eyes filled.
He continued.
"If you want nothing to do with me after the handover, I'll respect that."
She looked at him.
"And if I do?"
Enzo swallowed.
"Then I'd like to take you to dinner."
Wren laughed through tears.
"You're terrible at this."
He smiled.
"I've been told."
She leaned forward.
"Ask me again when I'm not your nurse."
Enzo nodded.
May you like
"I will."
And for the first time in his life, he understood that waiting could be an act of love.
