The next few minutes passed in silence as we drove the remaining distance to the only major hospital within a twenty-mile radius.
When Giles pulled into the hospital entrance, he went straight to the main entry of the massive building. He placed a hand on the passenger seat headrest, turning his body toward me. “You go ahead, Frankie. We’ll find parking.”
“Thanks.” I barely got out the words before I was out of the truck, walking hurriedly toward the automatic doors that led to the entrance of the emergency room. I already knew which room he was in, so I bypassed the check-in counter and walked straight back. Visiting hours had started, but I still made sure to avoid any nurses or doctors on my way, unwilling to be stopped for anything.
When I rounded the corner to his room, an immediate wave of relief blasted through me. He was already up, alert,and speaking with an older nurse who reminded me of my grandma.
“You take it easy,” she said, smiling and dropping off his breakfast tray. “Be more careful so I don’t see you in here again.”
“Of course, Irene.” He winked at me when he noticed me hovering in the doorway. “You won’t catch me back here, I can promise you that.”
“Good.” She walked toward the door and gave me a small nod when she noticed me. “You make sure that one wears a helmet from now on.”
“I definitely will,” I assured her.
She patted me on the shoulder and walked out of the room.
Oliver sighed dramatically. “I’ve told them all a million times that I was, in fact, wearing a helmet, it just slipped off. No one believes me.”
“It does seem like a lie you would tell to make yourself seem more careful.”
“Giles can corroborate my story.”
I drank in the sight of him, my night of restless sleep catching up with me now that I could see he was completely fine.
“The tests all went well? The doctors aren’t concerned about anything?” I asked, eyeing the styrofoam cup of black coffee in front of Oliver. I’d left the one Giles had given me in the car. I’d hardly been able to drink it with the nerves churning around in my stomach.
Oliver followed my gaze and picked up the cup of coffee to hand it to me. I gratefully took a sip. Too hot, and had that distinct burnt taste, but it still roused my senses.
“Nothing they’re concerned about. They said I should be out of here in a few hours.”
“Thank God.” I took the seat next to his bed and spilled into it, reaching out and grabbing his forearm to tether myself to him.
Oliver looked at our point of contact, a grin forming on his lips. “Thanks for coming,” he said.
My forehead wrinkled. “I would have stayed here all night if they would have let me. I slept like shit because?—”
“Because I wasn’t there,” Oliver finished, flashing me his teeth.
I squeezed his arm. “Something like that.”
“Well don’t you worry,” he continued. “Tonight, we’ll be back in my bed—or yours, if you prefer—and the doctors gave me the all clear on any extracurricular activities, especially those that can be done in the bedroom. In fact, he encouraged them. Said they would help with the healing process.”
“Oliver!” I scolded, shaking my head.
Maybe it should feel strange sitting with a guy I was only casually dating in the hospital, but it didn’t. Nothing felt weird with Oliver.
I chewed the inside of my cheek before finally spitting out the words I had been dreading. “I got the job. Found out yesterday.”
Oliver’s eyes widened and he sat up in bed. His smile never faltered, but I noticed the vein bulge slightly in his neck. The same way it always did when he tensed. It was so rare, but I’d come to recognize it.
“Of course you did! Congrats, Frankie.” He grabbed my hand and tugged me toward him, wrapping me in a hug.
“I’ve been waiting to hear back for so long, it’s surreal to finally have a start date and everything.”
Hisgrip tightened around me and my heart cracked a little. “When is it?”
“Next week.”
