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I haven’t stuck a label on what exactly is happening between Philip and I, so I shrug. “Not really. It was our third date.”
“Do you want there to be a fourth date?”
I study her face, drawn to the small flecks of gold in her green eyes. “I don’t think there’s a spark there.”
“I get that.” She nods. “This is going to sound silly, but there was a spark between Daxton and I. In that split second before he keeled over, I felt something. I felt it here.”
I watch as she slowly taps the center of her chest over the dark green blouse she’s wearing.
“How old are you?” she asks before I can respond to her last admission.
“Twenty three. My birthday was last month,” I say. “You?”
“Same, but mine was seven months ago.” She smiles for the first time since we met. “Dating in Manhattan is something, isn’t it?”
I laugh. “It’s a whole thing.”
“Don’t I know it?” She lets out a long-winded sigh. “If you want to take off, I can give Dr. Morgan his food. I’m going to hang around until I can see Daxton. I don’t want him to wake up and be all alone.”
For some reason, I don’t want that for her either, so I reach for her hand again, even though I know she’ll probably put mine back in a death grip. “I’ll stay. We’re in this together.”
Surprisingly, she squeezes my hand briefly before holding it gently. “Thanks for staying.”
I open my mouth to tell her it’s not a problem, but I slam it shut as soon as I catch a glimpse of who is headed straight toward us.
Now dressed in dark blue scrubs under a white coat that easily identifies him as a member of the medical staff of this hospital, Dr. Morgan has his eyes trained on me.
I manage a small smile as I hold up the takeout bag but his gaze never leaves my face. His stoic expression makes my stomach drop like a lead balloon.
“No, “ I whisper, bracing myself for bad news. “Please no.”
“What?” Penny glances at me. “What’s wrong?”
I push to my feet as Dr. Morgan closes the distance between us with measured steps.
Penny follows my lead, searching for my hand with hers. I take it.
I should have insisted she call someone to sit with her. I barely know her. I’m not equipped to hold her up if she emotionally collapses.
“Please let him be all right,” she whispers as he slows to a stop.
He scans the waiting area. It’s bustling but I sense that it almost always is.
“I was told by reception that you two are waiting to see me.” His gaze runs over my face. “Daxton gave me permission to share an update with his date.”
“That’s me,” Penny says, patting her hand in the center of her chest. “She was on a date with someone else. I’m the one who was on a date with Daxton. I’m Penny.”
He shifts his focus to her. “Was he feeling any tightness in his chest before he collapsed? Any discomfort at all?”
She shrugs a shoulder. “He was leaning in for a hug and then, boom, down he went.”
Dr. Morgan nods. “Daxton has a rare genetic heart condition. He’s going to require a procedure.”
“What?” Penny’s voice carries over the low hum of the chatter in this crowded waiting room. “What does that mean? Is he going to make it?”
“His mother is flying to New York in the morning from Indiana.” He glances at the watch on his wrist. “She’ll be in a position toshare the details with you.”
“You can’t tell me more because I barely know him? It wasn’t just a random blind date. There was a spark.” Disappointment laces her tone as she shifts her gaze to me. “ I just told you that, didn’t I?”
