Page 11 of The Image of You

She didn’t respond, and I knew there was no point in asking her for Ally’s number. Flinging back the scratchy blanket, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed.

“What are you doing?”

I stood slowly. “Going home.”

She stared, shocked. “I can’t let you leave until the doctor sees you.”

“Nope. Now. I’ll sign whatever form you want.”

“Mr. Kincaid—”

I winced a little, bending down to grab my bag from under the bed. “I’m leaving.” I smirked. “Are you planning on standing there while I drop these scrubs, or are you gonna get me those forms?”

She glared at me. “I heard you were stubborn.”

I had to laugh; I knew who she had heard that from.

“Ally was right.” I reached behind my head, beginning to pull off the loose smock, and arched my eyebrow. “Am I getting those forms?”

“Don’t you dare leave until I get back.”

“Hurry up, then.”

I wanted out of here.

* * *

Half an hour later, I was standing outside the hospital, cursing Tommy again for startling me last night. My head was pounding nonstop. I put up a good front to the staff, refusing help, agitating Vivian to no end, and finally walking out with her fuming at me for refusing to listen to her advice.

But now, leaning back on the cold brick wall outside, I could see why they wanted me to stay.

My head hurt like a bitch. Between the pain and lack of sleep, I was unsteady on my feet.

And pissed no one would give me Ally’s information.

I had to find her. I needed to know if she felt the same connection with me, or if it was all my imagination.

As soon as I got home, showered this hospital smell off me, and slept for a while, I would try to find her. I had friends who knew people; someone would be able to help me. Or I could take up residence in the hospital lobby and see her when she came back for her next shift. Vivian had let it slip when that would be. I didn’t want to wait for days, though.

A hand on my arm, and the gentle voice I recognized, made me start. “Adam, what are you doing out here?”

I lifted my head off the bricks, a smile already curving my lips as I opened my eyes and stared down at Ally. Her hair was even brighter in the natural light, her eyes shimmering. “Waiting for you.”

She frowned at my answer. “Why are you out here? You can’t have been released already.”

“I checked myself out.”

“What? Are you crazy?”

I shrugged, noting the concern in her eyes. I liked it. “I only stayed because you were there. You left, so there was no point in hanging around.” I narrowed my eyes. “You left without saying goodbye,” I added.

Her cheeks colored, fusing with a deep pink that heightened her pretty face. “Vivian ordered me to go home. I had already had too much overtime.”

“Then why are you still here?”

“I had coffee with another nurse. I was leaving, and I saw you standing here, holding up the wall. Or is it holding you up?” She shot back.

I ignored her remark.