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In a flurry of movement and staff, Cici and I were sequestered to a small, curtained-off room. A kind-faced nurse was bustling around the space, taking Cici’s vitals as I stood in the corner, my fists clenched.
“Lovey dress, dear,” she said, voice kind.
Cici looked at her, expression still dazed. “Thank you. I had a big date.”
The nurse chuckled. “I can see that.” She cast an appraising look at me. “Can you wait in the hallway for a moment? I need to ask Ms. Grove a few questions.”
“No problem. I’ll check in with her niece. Will you let me know when I can come back?”
She nodded at me from behind her mask. Hating every step, I moved through the hallway and out into the tiny emergency room. I unbuttoned the top two buttons of my shirt and rubbed the back of my neck.
Brady: You getting close?
Liam: Yeah, maybe twenty-five minutes.
Brady: Great. We’re in the ER.
Liam: Any idea what happened?
Brady: Not yet.
The nurse popped out from the enormous double doors, surprising me. I flipped my phone into my pocket and gave her my complete attention.
“You can come back in now.”
When I turned the corner, I could already hear Cici’s protests. It made me smile. She must be feeling better.
“It’s really okay. I can go to my usual doctor tomorrow.”
“Ma’am, you just have to wait out the rest of your results.”
“How about you call me if it’s anything exciting?”
I crossed my arms over my chest, leaning against the wall. “Cecelia Grove, sit back down and let them do their job.”
Cici’s jaw dropped, but she did sit back down on the edge of the bed. The nurse gave me a thankful glance and then proceeded to take her blood pressure once again.
“Aren’t you bossy?”
“Only when I need to be.” I dropped into the chair in front of her. To my surprise, she reached out to me. I immediately enclosed her hands in mine.
“I’m glad you’re going to be okay.”
“I’m glad you didn’t run away as fast as you could.”
I laughed. “Not yet.”
Cici’s face was beautiful as she smiled at me.
The nurse approached again, a clipboard in hard. “Your emergency contact is here. Should I let them in?” She gave me a hard look.
“Oh God.” Cici suddenly looked pale again.
I stood, her hands still in mine.
“Cici? It’s okay. I called Ashlyn.”
“It’s not Ashlyn.” Cici clenched her eyes shut. “Oh no, oh no, this isn’t happening.”
