Page 20 of Unspoken Love

The buzzing intensified, sharp and relentless, like someone was drilling into her skull. The floor tilted under her bare feet, and she staggered, one hand braced against the wall as she made her way toward the hallway bathroom.

She never made it.

The last thing she remembered was the cold tile under her palms and the nauseating whirl of the room before everything blinked out like a light.

She came to slowly, surrounded by warmth and motion.

Arms cradled her carefully, and a familiar scent—coffee beans and cedarwood—filled her senses. Her cheek was pressed against a strong chest, and there was the gentle rhythm of footsteps beneath her.

“Faye,” a voice said softly. “Hey, you with me?”

Her lashes fluttered open. The hallway light was dim, causing a golden haze around Nate’s face as he carried her gently down the corridor toward her bedroom.

“Nate?” Her voice was barely a whisper. Was this a dream? If so, she never wanted to wake.

“Yeah,” he murmured, his jaw tight with worry. “You didn’t show up for work. I called, but you didn’t answer. I knew something wasn’t right.”

“I—my head…” She reached up toward her implant.

He pushed open the bedroom door with his foot and gently laid her down on the bed, tucking the blanket around her with quiet, deliberate care. She watched him as he moved. His sleeves were rolled up and his hair was damp from the rain pelting the windows. Then her eyes ran over his face and noticed that his brows were knit together in concern.

“I must’ve passed out,” she murmured, trying to sit up again.

“You did,” he said, crouching beside the bed. “When you didn’t show up, I came to see if something was wrong and found you on the bathroom floor.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, the shame creeping in. “I didn’t mean to miss work.”

“The least of my worries at the moment.” He reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I’m just glad I knew were my sister hid a spare key.”

Embarrassment hit her and her throat tightened.

She tried to sit up, but he shook his head.

“No, don’t rush it.” He shifted slightly. “I should call Dr. Stevens.”

“No,” she said a little too fast. “I’m okay, really.” She shifted until she was leaning against the headboard.

His eyes ran over her slowly, assessing her. “You’re a little pale and look tired.”

“I’m okay,” she said again.

“For now, I’ve called in backup for you today.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m going to stay with you for a while, while you rest up.”

“No, don’t stay on my account. Really, I’m okay.”

His eyes narrowed. “Faye, you were on the bathroom floor.”

“I know.” She laid a hand over his. “It’s not the first time.”

“What do you mean?”

She sighed. “I’ve had four brain surgeries in the past six years. The first time, I almost lost my sight. It came back three weeks later, but…” She blinked happily. “I can see perfectly. The second surgery, I was paralyzed on my right side for two days.” She moved her right arm and fingers. “For two weeks after my auditory brainstem implant, I smelled burned popcorn. The cochlear implant isn’t perfect, but I can hear. There are going to be growing pains.”

He was silent as she listed off some of the things she’d gone through.

“Go to work. I’ll take today to rest up and be back tomorrow.”

This time when she sat up, he ran his eyes over her and nodded slowly.