AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 3
Rachel
“I’m sorry again,” she said, playing with a tissue in her hand and trying not to cry for the third time. She’d already made a blasted fool of herself today. First, the idiotic tumble down the balcony. Then, the ambulance scene where she’d asked Mr. Riley—a stranger, nevertheless—to accompany her to the hospital. What had she been thinking? And then there had been the tears over the hospital, the antiseptic smell turning her stomach and launching her into a full-blown panic. And to think she’d invited a stranger along to witness her at her lowest. A gorgeous stranger, at that. What had she been thinking?
She’d been desperate. That was all there was to it. Only a desperate woman would latch onto a chaperone at a workshop and allow him to accompany her here. Gosh, she was a fool sometimes. Forget about what that blasted book had to say about self-deprecating thoughts. Right now, she just wanted to wallow in self-deprecation and sadness. She’d tackle the positive thoughts tomorrow, as long as she was out of this horrid place. She really wished she had just attempted to walk it all off again.
The minutes ticked by so slowly as they sat, waiting for the return of the doctor. Why did medical institutions always feel like a time warp? Sitting in the hospital bed waiting on test results and to be finally cleared to go home and put this despicable day behind her, she sighed in frustration.
“More coffee?” Zander asked—she’d learned his first name in the ambulance when things did get uncomfortably close. The EMT wasn’t kidding that it would be a tight squeeze. Zander had felt the least he could do after invading her personal space was to tell her his first name.
Zander gestured toward the empty cup on her side table. He’d smuggled her one in when the nurse refused to allow her to have anything but water. She was thankful for his rebellion. If she was going to be stuck here, at least it was with someone who understood the importance of coffee in times of crises.
“No, I’m okay. Thank you.”
“Admittedly, it isn’t Starbucks. But I guess it will do in this situation.”
She smirked. “You mean they didn’t have espresso shot options or whipped cream? Honestly, the service around here.”
“When we spring you from this joint, I promise I’ll get you a real coffee, okay?”
“Sounds heavenly,” she said, meaning it. She tucked the tissue away, realizing that without really doing anything, he’d managed to calm her tears and bring back a sense of peace. Even in this place, one of her worst nightmares, this guy she barely knew somehow brought a sense of calmness to her life. Despite all of the embarrassment of the day, she was glad that if anyone was going to be with her today, it was this guy.
Zander Riley had been a tremendous comfort and, in truth, the only thing keeping her somewhat holding it together in the hospital. It helped that his hands were strong and sent a jolt right through her the whole way in the ambulance. Despite her quaking fear, he’d reassured her with his soothing voice and joking nature.
He was a good one. She could tell. And, if she were going to be trapped in her worst nightmare here, she was thankful she had him by her side.
But she did feel like a horrible person, making him sit here on his weekend with her just because she’d been a klutz. She felt selfish and foolish for not being brave enough to face the hospital on her own. It wasn’t like she was having a random brain surgery. Things were pretty minor, in the scheme of things. Still, she was glad to have a friendly face sitting near her, even if she’d just learned the name of the friendly face a few hours ago.
“I’m really sorry. I know I’m ruining your day,” she said again, looking out the window beside her bed and feeling helpless.
“Stop apologizing. I told you it’s fine.”
“I feel bad you’re still here. It’s been hours. Surely you have things you could be doing. I’m sure the test results will be fine. The doctor already said I probably don’t have a concussion. Really, you can go,” she argued again.
Zander shook his head, staring at her from what looked like an uncomfortable seat beside her bed. “Wow, really trying to get rid of me? Am I that bad of company? I mean, I know the coffee is weak, but I thought at least the company was so-so, no?”
“I just feel awful about being an imposition.”
“You’re not. It’s all good. I’m the kind of guy who sees things through, terrible coffee and all. And I’m lucky, in a way. I mean, I get to spend one-on-one time with a Broadway actress. Who gets to say that?”
“Some Broadway actress. One who falls off the balcony and makes you miss the show.”
He waved her off. “I’ve seen the play before already. It’ll be okay.”
“Really?” she asked, interested now. They’d talked about all the basic pleasantries in between doctors and nurses popping in and prodding her or whisking her away for a test. Honestly, they acted in here like she’d fallen from the Eiffel Tower. She felt a bit ridiculous.
“What, don’t I look like the Broadway type?”
Rachel smiled. “I’ve learned there are all sorts of types on Broadway.”
Zander sighed now, a weak smile telling her she’d said something wrong.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Nothing. I just… once upon a time, I would’ve given anything to be one of the Broadway performing types.”
“Really? What stopped you?”
