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"It's gonna be alright." The eyes that slayed me every time were slits of disbelief, so I said it again. "It's gonna be alright, Jacob."
They softened, then hardened to sea glass when someone laid on their horn behind us. There was something dangerous brewing and I told him we were just a few blocks from the hospital so he didn't jump out of the car and bash someone's head in. We hit no more lights and the traffic seemed to thin out almost as if they knew Jacob couldn't take much more.
The paparazzi were waiting, but security kept them away from the valet drop off and entrance. Jacob was all thumbs with his money clip, so I put a steady hand over his shaking ones. "I'll take care of the valet. Go find out about your mom."
I watched him dash in the building then turned to the young valet, her face red with adoration like she was committing the precious seconds Jacob was right there to memory. When I cleared my throat, the red darkened as she gave me an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, I just love the show."
I smiled back and pulled a twenty from my purse and took the tag. I heard the screech of the reporters questions, bulbs pulsing like strobe lights. Fact was, the last thing I wanted to do was go inside and face some terrible news, but that meant standing out here with them; and if something happened and I wasn't by Jacob's side, I'd never forgive myself.
I stepped inside and muttered, ‘You gotta be kidding me’ as soon as I saw Nurse Deadwood's brutal face. Jacob wasn't in the lobby so I assumed he'd put the fear of god in the woman. I didn't have that kind of presence and I sure as hell didn't have a wad of cash to bribe her with. I took a deep breath, banishing the defeatist attitude. You're getting through that door, Leila. One way or another.
I marched to the desk, replacing the nurse's squirrelly eyes with Rachel's big ones, making what came next easier.
"You're going to let me through that door," I said firmly. "And not because I write you a check. I'm family. That's my fiancé and future mother-in-law back there. I belong with them."
It was out. I stood my ground and waited for her to tell me to promptly turn my butt around and exit before she called security. Instead, she held out a name tag, hand trembling. "Mr. Whitmore is waiting for you."
I frowned slightly before raising my chin. "Good." I strut into the secure area seeing, Jacob at the end of the hall. He held up a finger and came toward me. I must have still been smiling like I'd slain a dragon or pulled a sword out of a stone because he gave me a weird look.
"Everything okay?"
I shook off my grin, but I could still hear it in my voice. "Yeah, it's just that nurse--"
"Deadwood?" His eyes narrowed. "I know she fleeced you and Missy. She should thank whatever deity she believes in that she still has a job." His voice blazed. "Did she give you any problems?"
I shook my head slowly, still stunned. If she was on Jacob's shit list, I actually felt sorry for her. I gestured at the nurse who was at the end of the hall, waiting patiently. "How's your mom?"
He sliced a hand through his hair, the stern look in his eyes fading into annoyance. "Doctor's in now. No visitors until he says so."
As we made our way back to where the nurse was waiting I realized it was more than just patience rounding her stance. It was the confidence of someone that was desensitized to celebrity. Under different circumstances, she might've been as star-struck as the valet. She had an average build, dirty blond hair and tired green eyes. The kind of woman that worked hard and swapped the tabloids from the checkout rack to escape her life before heading home to rambunctious kids. None of those glittering lights mattered here. Within these walls, she was in charge.
Jacob wasn't nearly as accepting of that as I was.
"This is ridiculous,” he growled. “If she's awake and alert as you claim, why can't I see her?"
"Because she's in the ICU," the nurse answered simply. "As soon as Dr. Schaub comes out--" She turned to the back as the doors clicked open and an older man in scrubs shuffled into our area. "Here he--"
Neither one of us waited for introductions, breezing over to the doctor, dread sinking in at his melancholy expression.
Jacob was a force, not wasting a moment. "I want to see my mother."
The doctor's weary gray eyes scanned Jacob's face. "Mr. Whitmore, your mother cannot handle a high degree of stress."
"Look--" Jacob stopped, taking a deep breath and calming himself. "I just want her to see me and know I'm here."
The doctor gave him a look that made me wonder if he did some tabloid reading himself. “If I let you in to see her, nothing should be brought up that could upset her."
"Understood."
He gave him a final look over then nodded. "Follow me." When I took a step in that direction he stopped. "I'm sorry, family only while she's in intensive care."
I saw Jacob gear up for a fight, so I just took a step back, hands up and non-combative. "It's alright. I'll be right out here." He didn't look ready to drop it, so I added, "It's alright. Go be with your mother."
I stood there, watching his taut back fade as he stepped into the ICU ward.
****
