“No need,” Dan said. “I’ve got stuff left over from the earlier disaster.”

“Come back on Friday to get the stitches out.”

“Got it. Can I go?”

“What’s the status of your tetanus shot?”

“I’ve had one.”

“How long ago?”

“I don’t know.”

“Since we have no idea what was on that knife or how clean it was, I recommend a tetanus shot and a dose of antibiotic, too.”

“Fine, whatever you say, Doc. Let’s just get it over with.”

“You’re in an awful rush, Counselor. You’re giving me a complex.”

“Nothing personal, but I’ve got plans with my lady. And besides, I’m sure you’ve got better things to be doing on a Sunday afternoon than stitching me up.”

“Not to worry,” David said. “Part of the job. Be right back.”

Kara came into the cubicle with a can of Coke that she handed over to him. He’d sent her to get it so she wouldn’t be in the room while David stitched him up. She was upset enough without having to see that.

“Come hold my hand while David sticks more needles in me.” The shots to numb his palm had been so painful he’d nearly passed out. The thought of more shots made him queasy and sweaty.

Kara came to sit next to him on the hospital bed, reaching for his uninjured hand.

David returned with two syringes and administered two more shots that burned like a bastard on the way in. “There you go,” he said, adding for Kara’s sake, “Keep it clean and dry.”

“We hate it clean and dry,” Dan said, earning an embarrassed scowl from his fiancée.

“Yeah, he’s fine,” David said with a laugh. “Get out of here so I can go home.”

“Thanks again, David.”

“No problem. Let me know if you have any problems or if it gets especially red or swollen.”

“Will do.”

As they left the clinic, Dan dropped his arm over Kara’s shoulders. “Do you have my keys?”

“Yes.”

“Can I have them?”

“You’re not driving.”

“Yes, I am.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Baby, I’m fine. I swear.”

“You just had thirty stitches in the palm of your right hand. How do you propose to drive a stick shift?”

“My fingers are still working fine,” he said, waggling his brows as he demonstrated his manual dexterity.

“Everything is a joke to you, isn’t it?”

Seeing that she was on the verge of tears, he stopped walking and turned to her. “Not everything. I got us a room at the Summer House. I was going to surprise you after the party.”

She leaned her head against his chest.

He ran the fingers on his uninjured hand through her silky hair.

“I hate that you got hurt again.”