Page 11 of A Very Grumpy Doctor

“You should have done it when I fainted,” she wheezes.

“I was a little preoccupied with making sure you weren’t dying,” I growl at her.

She shrugs, struggling to climb to her feet.

I help her stand, resisting the urge to pull her close and wrap my arms around her.For now.“The swab won’t be that bad.It will take me two seconds.”

She shakes her head.“It’s probably the bug.”

“No, the medicine?—”

“I didn’t get the medicine,” she blurts, looking embarrassed.

I clench my jaw, wanting to shake her for not following my orders and scaring me.But I also want to comfort her and tell her everything will be okay.That I’ll take care of her.

“Why didn’t you take your meds?”I ask softly, needing to know.

“They were out yesterday, and I forgot to go this morning.”

“Dear God,” I mumble under my breath, already lifting her in my arms.

“Hey!”she cries out weakly.

I ignore her as I carry her out of the house to my car.

“My front door!”she wails.

“Had to break it down to get to you,” I mutter.“I’ll call someone.Get it fixed.”

Alexi doesn’t argue, probably a testament to how sick she’s feeling.

Tucking her into the passenger seat, I jog around and slip behind the wheel.

“You should have told me about the meds yesterday,” I scold as I make the short drive to the pharmacy.

Alexi is silent as I park outside.

I turn to her, studying her nervous expression.What if her hang-up with doctors has to do with the medicine?

“I’ll run in, okay?I’ll be right back.”

I’m gone before she can argue.I wait impatiently in line until it’s my turn, giving them Alexi’s name.

“Ah, so the rumors are true?”the technician asks with a sly smile.

I pull out my debit card to pay.“What?”

“I heard that the two of you went late-night grocery shopping last night.”

I don’t reply.Let them talk because while Alexi and I are not technically a couple right now, we will be if I have my way.

I walk out with Alexi’s medicine and a bottle of water a few minutes later.Passing both to her, I watch as she swallows the pills.

“Good.Now, are you hungry?”I ask, pulling out of the parking lot.

She sighs.“Maybe.I could eat something.”

I smile, finally relaxed now that I know she’s going to be okay.