Chapter 8

Trevor sawthe man striding toward Sadie’s room, clearly on a mission.

The man was built like a linebacker with dark hair and beefy arms. He wore khakis and a dark polo shirt, and his gaze was hooded.

Instantly, Trevor planted himself between the man and Sadie’s hospital room, crossing his arms. “Who are you?”

The man glared at him. “Who are you?”

Trevor didn’t answer. “The patient in this room isn’t taking visitors right now.”

“I think she’ll make an exception for me.” The guy grabbed Trevor’s shoulder and tried to shove him out of the way.

The stranger had touched him. That was this guy’s first mistake.

Trevor stiffened, refusing to move. “You don’t want to do that.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t need you telling me what I do and do not want to do. Move.”

He didn’t budge.

The men stared off.

Then the door opened behind Trevor, and Nurse Kate peeked out at them, a wrinkle of concern between her eyes. “What’s going on out here?”

The man peered around Trevor. “I’m here to see Sadie. This guy is trying to stop me.”

“Who are you?” the nurse asked.

“My name is Guy Merchant. I’m Sadie’s boyfriend.”

Everything went still around Trevor.

Her boyfriend? Wait . . .

Trevor quickly hid his confusion.

But this guy had to be lying, right? Sadie hadn’t had a boyfriend while she’d been dating Trevor. She wasn’t the player type.

She was the type to bring food to the sick. To go out of her way to help someone in need. To stay inside for the weekend and read a book.

“My boyfriend?” Sadie asked from her hospital bed. She’d clearly seen the confrontation and heard part of the conversation between Trevor and Guy in the hallway.

Trevor stepped back, knowing he shouldn’t stop this guy anymore. It would only make more of a scene at this point.

The man walked into Sadie’s room. Paused by her bed and took Sadie’s hand into both of his as he stared at her.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” the man murmured. “I was so worried.”

Sadie stared at the man, no flash of recognition in her gaze. In fact, she almost looked frightened.

Trevor stepped into the room behind the man, knowing he had to get to the bottom of this—even if he didn’t like the truth he discovered.

* * *

Sadie stared at the man standing beside her bed grasping her hand.

She wanted to recognize him. To feel something. To instinctively know she could trust him.

But she felt nothing.

She didn’t remember ever seeing this man before.

“What’s going on?” Sadie turned to Trevor.

“This guy tried to get into the room,” Trevor said. “I tried to stop him. He didn’t want to listen.”

The nurse excused herself to take another call, leaving the three of them there to sort things out.

Sadie’s gaze went back to the man holding her hand. “Who are you?”

“You mean, it’s true?” Surprise raced through his gaze, and his grip on her hand loosened. “You really don’t remember?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t.”

He lowered his eyelids as if trying to cover a flinch. “I’m Guy Merchant. Your boyfriend for the past three months.”

Her boyfriend? For three months? His name wasn’t even vaguely familiar. Guy was a total stranger.

“How did you know to come here?” Trevor’s voice held an edge of caution.

She was so glad Trevor had followed this guy into her room. She wanted Trevor here—especially until she knew who she could trust.

“A Detective Bennett came into the office and asked if anyone knew Sadie. When he told us you’d been in an accident and were here at the hospital, I told him I’d come out. He warned me you were having some memory issues.”

Sadie supposed that explanation made sense.

She studied Guy, hoping for some flicker of recognition. There was still none. “If you’re my boyfriend, what can you tell me about myself?”

He stared at her again, not bothering to hide his confusion. “You really don’t remember anything?”

“I don’t.”

He let out a slow breath. “Your name is Sadie Carrington. You are thirty-three years old. You’re an only child, and you were raised in Florida, but you moved to Michigan for a job.”

“A job where?”

“Sleeping Bear Elevator.”

The name didn’t ring any bells. “How did the two of us meet?”

“We work at the same company,” Guy said. “We started having lunch together. I asked you to dinner. You said yes. And the rest, as they say, is history.” Guy nodded toward the door. “I want to get you out of here. Maybe if I take you home you’ll remember something.”

Sadie flinched. The thought of leaving the hospital with this man terrified her.

The reaction didn’t make sense. She didn’t know Trevor either yet, for some reason, she trusted Trevor more.

She glanced at Trevor, helplessness wafting through her.

She didn’t like feeling helpless. Not at all.

“I’m . . .” She looked back at Guy. “I’m going to need some time.”

His eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I just mean . . . I’m not ready to make any big decisions. I need to think this through.”

“So you don’t want me to take you home?” A touch of impatience tinged his voice. “I came all the way out here to see you.”

“It’s like I said . . . I need some time. And the doctor wants to keep me overnight.”

Then Sadie waited to see if he’d continue to argue with her and grow more irritated—both of which would be sure signs she’d made the right decision.