Page 100 of One Reckless Night

39

JARED

Iwoke up and the first thing I thought about was Amelia. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Not because of what had happened between us in the lab—though that was certainly burned into my memory—but because of how pale she’d looked when she left. As a doctor, it didn’t sit well with me. As the father of her child, it really didn’t sit well with me.

I had followed her home last night, just to make sure she got there safely, but I hadn’t gone inside. I’d stood outside her condo for what felt like an eternity, debating whether to knock, before finally forcing myself to leave.

I didn’t want her to think I was knocking on her door because I wanted sex again. She said it was a mistake. I didn’t see it that way, but I respected her opinion. That didn’t mean I wasn’t going to try and convince her otherwise. But she looked so tired, I didn’t think she was up for a serious conversation.

And I honestly wasn’t sure what I would say. I wanted her, but I couldn’t commit. She wanted a commitment. I was ready to offer her something I considered as commitment adjacent. That conversation could wait until she was refreshed and ready to talk.

After a quick workout, coffee, and a breakfast burrito, I was out the door. My intention was to find Amelia. I needed to see her, to make sure she was okay. My plan was to invite her to dinner for the real conversation we needed to have.

I went by her lab and was told she wasn’t in yet. I didn’t think much of it. None of us kept banker’s hours. Especially considering she’d been working late last night.

I went to my office and sat down. I was reviewing the update on the patient from yesterday. All was well. He woke up and was following commands. That was always a good sign. Now, it was up to the hospital to make sure the rest of his body healed.

Clair knocked on my door before walking in. “Jared, have you seen Amelia?” she asked.

Of course, I immediately felt like a kid getting busted with his hand in the cookie jar. “What?”

“Have you seen Amelia this morning?”

“No. I went by her lab, and they said she wasn’t in yet.”

“I know,” she said with exasperation. “We were supposed to have a meeting this morning, but she didn’t show. She’s not in her lab, and she’s not answering her phone. I went by her condo, but she didn’t answer the door.” She stepped inside. “Did she stay at your place last night?” she whispered.

I appreciated her thoughtfulness about our privacy, but it only made me more concerned.

“No,” I said and got to my feet. “She was working last night. We, uh, talked. She looked a little pale. She said she was tired.”

I was already walking out the door. There was a feeling of urgency I couldn’t explain, but I knew I had to get to her. I couldn’t stop the sinking feeling that something was very, very wrong.

“Where are you going?” Clair asked.

I was taking long strides. It wasn’t a run, but it wasn’t a walk either. I threw open the doors and hit the sidewalk. That’s when I started running. I could hear Clair behind me. I reached Amelia’s door and tried the handle. Locked.

“Amelia!” I called out.

I waited about half a second before I slammed my shoulder into it, once, twice, until it gave way. Claire was right behind me. I raced through the condo, my eyes scanning every room until I found her.

She was in bed, lying still, her skin cool to the touch. My breath caught in my throat as I sat on the edge of the bed. “Amelia,” I said. “Amelia, I need you to wake up.”

There was nothing.

I quickly checked her pulse. It was there but weak. My mind was racing through a thousand worst-case scenarios.

“What’s wrong?” Clair whispered. “What happened?”

“I’m taking her to the hospital,” I said.

I jerked the blankets back and lifted her into my arms.

Clair gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “Jared, there’s blood,” she said, her voice trembling.

I looked down and saw it—a small, dark stain on the sheets. Panic hit me in a way I had never experienced before. I was always calm and cool under pressure. This was different. This was mine.

I forced myself to take a deep breath and pull back the panic. “Call Shawn,” I said in my usual surgeon voice. “Get a helicopter here. Now.”