Kris felt like crying. How could she allow herself to get so turned on by Josh? He was Phil's son, for God's sake! She slipped deeper down into the water, wishing she could forget about him and go back to the way things were and should be. She had to.....her fiancé was lying in a hospital bed, relying on her to be there for him. This was just silly and stupid. She had just been caught up in the emotions of the past few weeks with everything going on, and Josh had been kind to her. That's it. He was a friend. That's all.
Kris got out of the tub and let the water out, wrapping a towel around her body as she walked back to the bed. 'He's my friend' she told herself, over and over. 'Nothing more'. As she slipped into bed, she hoped that it would sink into her brain as she slept, and tomorrow would be better. It just had to be.....
Bright and early, just as he said he would, Phil called her from his bed.
"Morning princess!" he said into the phone.
Kris rubbed her eyes as she flopped back onto her pillow. "Morning" she mumbled.
"Geez, you don't sound very excited to hear my voice" Phil teased.
Kris yawned into the phone. "Sorry......I.......I didn't sleep very well last night...." she said between yawns.
"Oh, bad dreams?" Phil asked.
Kris's eyes snapped open. Shit. She hadn't meant to let onto Phil about her night. That would only make him ask questions....
"No.....no.....just....restless is all.....new bed...." she stammered, hoping it would be enough.
"Oh" answered Phil. "Are you coming to see me?"
Good. He had left it at that. "Of course!" Kris answered. "I'm just going to hop in the shower and grab something to eat on the way".
"Cool" Phil answered. Kris could practically hear him grinning over the phone. She knew he was glad to have her there, which only made her feel even guiltier of her feelings these past few days. But that's over......right?
"I'll see you in a bit" Kris said. "Love you".
"Love you too, princess" Phil answered.
Kris hung up and rolled over. She closed her eyes and repeated the mantra of Josh being "just a friend" over and over in her head, as though it would seal the deal. Finally, she got out of bed and got ready to head to the hospital.
On the way, Kris stopped at the local Harley dealership, hoping to find some little thing to bring to Phil as a get well soon present, but when she entered the shop, she realized that she had no idea what he already had, and what he needed or wanted. She wandered around, checking out all the little gadgets and things until she saw something that she felt would be perfect. Well, actually, it would be perfect for her, which in turn will make Phil love it! She checked out, and headed to the hospital.
"Morning!" she said as she entered Phil's room. He looked up from the newspaper to greet her.
"More like afternoon now" he answered. "Did you get lost?"
Kris smiled. "No, I actually stopped off along the way to get you a little something, but if you don't want it...."
"No, I want a present! Gimme!" Phil replied, dropping the paper on the floor and holding out his hands in a grabby motion.
Kris laughed at Phil, looking like a little kid as he sat there in a hospital gown with his reading glasses on. The site was completely different from the way he looks on the boat! She crossed the floor, swinging the little Harley bag on her finger, making sure he could see the logo.
"Are you sure?" she asked teasingly. "I mean.....I can just as easily bring it back...."
"Quit fooling!" he said, getting annoyed, but playful.
Kris made a leap onto the bed and held the bag away from Phil. "Uh uh" she chastised. "Close your eyes and then reach into the bag".
Phil huffed and puffed, but did as he was told. Kris started laughing again, marveling at how much Phil could be like a child! But when he closed his eyes, Phil placed the bag on his lap and told him to reach in to get his gift.
Phil grabbed the bag and put his hand in, feeling around, and his expression changed from happiness to outright confusion. He pulled the present out and opened his eyes, looking down at the strange thing he was holding. He looked back up at her, still very much confused.
"A thong?" he asked voice barely above a whisper. "You got me a thong?????"
Kris had to laugh at his expression. It was priceless! She laughed hysterically the more he stared at her, wondering what the hell was going on.
"Did you seriously buy me a thong????" he asked again.
When she could finally breathe again, Kris wiped her eyes and attempted to answer him. "It's for me, silly!" she said between breaths. Phil still looked confused.
"Me wearing it is your present!" Kris announced, smiling. Phil finally got the message and smiled wide, his grin soon turning into a laugh.
"Thank God!" he said. "For a moment there I thought you were going to make me wear it!"
"Well, that's an idea, too....." Kris replied.
Phil looked at her with a stern look. "Don't even think about it!" he answered. "I can be kinky but I am NOT wearing a thong!"
Kris got a mental image in her head of Phil wearing one, and again burst out laughing. Phil laughed right along with her as though he could read her mind, and the two ended up lying back down on the bed as they calmed down. Phil wrapped his arms around Kris and held her close.
"God, I'm so glad you're here" he said, kissing her head. "I feel a million percent better already."
"You look it!" replied Kris. "Nurse Kris to the rescue! Although, I wasn't able to help you on the boat....."
"Yes you did" Phil answered. "You kept me going....you kicked my ass when it needed kicking..."
Kris opened her mouth to respond, but Phil stopped her. "And don't think that's going to become a regular occurrence, either!" Kris smiled, knowing that she could definitely take charge when she wanted to, and Phil wouldn't say a damn thing!
"I can't wait for the season to be over" continued Phil, "so you can join me at home".
Kris smiled up at him. "Me too. I'm going to miss you on the boat".
"Aw, you'll be too busy to miss me!" Phil answered. "Murray can be a slave driver when he wants to be, you watch!"
Kris chuckled "You know what I mean!" she said, punching his arm.
"I know" he answered, pulling her close to him again. "But you'll be fine. Murray will keep you busy, and the boys are there in case you need anything".
Yeah, the boys. That's just what she was nervous about!
Pretty soon, the day was gone again, and it was time for Kris to head back to the hotel. She couldn't believe how fast the time had gone as she and Phil had spent the whole afternoon talking and laughing. As she put her coat on, Kris joked with Phil about him turning into an old man with the whole going to bed early thing, to which he responded by throwing the paper at her.
"Hey, how's the hotel, by the way?" Phil asked.
"Oh, it's great" answered Kris. "Very swanky!"
"Good. I made sure they gave you the best suite they had" he replied. "Did you try out the cool tub?"
Kris felt her heart skip a beat at Phil's words. "Yeah....yeah I did" she answered.
"And????" Phil asked after she had stopped.
"And....it was nice" Kris answered. She really hoped that would be enough. She was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to give him anymore details without freaking out.
Phil eyed her strangely. "Ok" he said.
"Ok.....well.....goodnight!" Kris said as she leaned down to kiss him once more before turning to go.
"Kris" Phil called after her, making her stop and turn back around. "Is everything ok?"
Kris smiled and nodded her head. "Yeah, everything's fine" she answered. "I'll see you tomorrow morning". Phil smiled back and held up his hand. Kris turned and left the room, walking up the hall to the elevator.
"Everything IS fine" she thought to herself. "It has to be...."
