His expression softens with concern. “Is she okay?”
“She’s fine. Stable and milking the situation for all it’s worth.” I grab the last chip from the bag. “She’ll probably be released tomorrow morning, but you know her—she thrives on attention.” I sigh, standing up. “Anyway, sorry to cut this short. Wish me luck.”
“Actually,” he asks, clearing the table. “Do you mind if I join you? I’d love to say hello to Gilly.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Really?”
“Absolutely.” He throws the wrappers away. “I love your mum.”
I ignore the obscene flutter of butterflies in my belly and chuckle instead. “Oh, boy. She’ll bedelighted.”
Archie insists on getting her something from the gift shop, so I buy her a teddy bear while he opts for their biggest flower bouquet in the store.
When we enter the room, she’s sprawled in her hospital bed, checking her phone, and my breath catches in my throat. It’s strange seeing her like this—without a full face of makeup or a mountain of jewellery, just a single shawl wrapped around her like a security blanket. She looks... small.
“Ah, there she is,” she says, lighting up when she spots me. When her eyes land on Archie, she gasps theatrically. “Oh my stars! What a lovely surprise. If I’d known, I’d have freshened up.”
“You look gorgeous,” Archie says, stepping forward to give her a careful hug before extending the bouquet to her. “These are for you, Gilly. Hope you’re feeling better soon.”
She beams at the generous arrangement. “Thank you, darling. You’re such a treasure.”
“And I got you this cute bear,” I add, placing the cuddly toy on her side table before leaning in to kiss her cheek.
“You kids are the best. Really. Thank you.”
“So, how are you, Mum?” I ask, automatically reaching for the chart at the end of her bed and flipping through the notes. “You look good. Not too groggy after the anaesthesia?”
“Oh, Dr. Mistry said I handled it like a champ,” she says proudly, holding up a weak fist and offering it to Archie for a bump. He doesn’t miss a beat, meeting her halfway.
I smile, tucking the chart back in place. “Told you it would be fine. You could have gotten this taken care of weeks ago.”
“Katherine, please. This wasn’t a manicure. I was cut open and sedated. It’s serious business,” she says, pressing a hand dramatically to her bandaged neck. “Thankfully, Dr. Mistry told me I’ll barely have a scar.”
“If you do,” Archie says with a grin, “I’ll buy you a few extra shawls to cover it up.”
“Oh, you cheeky fellow,” she says, laughing louder than she should.
The door swings open, and the nurse hustles in with Mum’s food. “Oops, I’m sorry,” she says with an apologetic frown. “I didn’t know you had company, Gilly.”
“Hi,” I wave. “I’m Katherine, her daughter, and this is, um, Archie. I work in trauma. Sorry for the late visit. We’ll head out so she can rest.”
“That’s okay.” She smiles, her eyes skimming over Archie’s body shamelessly, and suddenly, I want to take her down, right here on the hospital floor.
“Well, we won’t bother you much longer,” Archie says, patting my mum’s knee. “Get well soon, Gilly.”
“Thank you again for coming.” Her eyes are bright and a little watery.
I kiss her again, then follow Archie toward the door.
“Wait—Kat, come back for a sec,” Mum calls just as the nurse sets her tray down. Her voice drops an octave, falling into serious-mum mode. “You hold on tight to that man, do you hear me? He’s a gem.”
I glance at the nurse, who is one hundred percent listening in.
“Yeah, okay. Bye, Mum,” I mutter, already backing out of the room.
Once I reach the hallway, Archie walks me back to my floor before kissing me goodbye. It’s a quick kiss, but I know the mere thought of it will carry me through to the end of my shift.
Not to mention that he actually brought me dinner, and even remembered my favourite fast-food combo. And he’s always so sweet with my mum…
