Leonie thought Gwh was angry with her.


    "Thank you for helping me take care of Connor," Gwh said. "I really can''t get away right now. And... there''s no longer anything possible between Connor and me."


    Gwh wasn''t just saying it to reassure Leonie, but this time, the usually oblivious girl understood perfectly.


    On the other end of the line, Leonie''s face turned red before she even spoke.


    "Gwh, please don''t misunderstand! I was really just helping you. And I only feel sorry for him now because he''s all alone. He absolutely refuses to let me tell his family about the car ident. I''ve decided, once he''s discharged, I''m going straight home. I''m not going to make my parents worry about me anymore."


    It was as if Leonie had matured overnight.


    Gwh smiled. "It''ll probably be a while before your parents, so don''t worry. Taking care of someone is a good thing. Why would they be upset with you?"


    They chatted for a little while longer before hanging up.


    "What are you doing over there? Get over here and help me up.”


    Connor, now awake in his bed, could hear Leonie''s voice but couldn''t see her. He desperately needed to pee, and his temper red.


    Leonie scurried over. "Coming,ing! What''s the rush? What did you want?"


    Connor''s cast had been removed, and he could move certain parts of his body, but he still needed support to walk.


    "I need the bathroom. Hurry up..."


    Leonie saw his handsome face flush a deep red and knew he was about to burst. She quickly helped him up and guided him, step by agonizing step, toward the restroom.


    After setting him down in the bathroom, she started to back out, but Connor''s hand shot out and grabbed her.


    "Where do you think you''re going?"


    Leonie was bewildered. "You need me to stand here and watch while you use the toilet?"


    Connor''s face and neck were beet red, but he didn''t mince words.


    "Come here and unzip my pants. My hands are useless. Are you just going to leave and let me piss myself?"


    Leonie was genuinely mortified now. She was a respectable young woman. The only times she''d seen. that... was in certain R-rated movies, and that one time she''d identally peeked while Connor was changing: Even then, she had been deliberately teasing him, her heart pounding afterward like she was some kind of pervert.


    Now, standing so close to him, especially after taking care of him for days, they were practically acquaintances. His sudden demand made her panic.


    "What are you just standing there for? Get on with it!"


    "Connor, I''m warning you, don''t you get fresh with me! I''m going to get the nurse to help you."


    Connor looked like he was about to pass out from frustration. "Weren''t you enjoying the view when I was changing clothes? Don''t act so. innocent now. Don''t tell me you''ve never seen a man''s... equipment... before. I just need to pee, don''t make like I''m assaulting you


    it sound You''re not willing, but I''m worried you''ll touch me and then try to pin something on me!"


    Leonie started cursing under her breath. "Who do you think you are? Why don''t you just piss and take a good fook at your reflection. think, Leonie, can''t find a man? That I need totch onto you?"


    Connor was truly desperate. “For God''s sake, would you please hurry up! Are you sure you''re here to take care of me?"


    Seeing his face turn a shade of red so deep it looked like it might bleed, Leonie


    knew he wasn''t just messing with her. She squeezed her eyes shut, took a breath, and reached out her hand.