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Trenton sucked in another calming breath. “She’s not yet at twenty weeks, Mal.” His breath shuddered. “That’s still too early.”
A nurse came in just then. “Ms. Griffin has been stabilized. She’s asking for you.” The nurse smiled as she looked at each of them. “Both of you.”
Malcolm tried to pull out of his friend’s death grip. “You go first. I’ll join you in a minute.” Maybe by then the mist at the edges of his vision would have disappeared.
“No,” Trenton said, tugging him forward. “You need to see her as badly as I do. So let’s go see her.”
Malcolm gave in, falling into step beside his friend as they trailed after the nurse.
Malcolmpausedinthedoorway, drinks from the vending machine in hand, to study the picture his cousin and his friend made. Trenton’s hands had wrapped around Celia’s, his fingers rubbing her knuckles absently as they sat in silence together. Their relationship didn’t seem to need a bunch of words to fill up the spaces. That wasn’t to say their expressions were peaceful. It was too soon after the scare for anything like that.
He entered, holding out a bottle of water to his friend. One of the vending machines had a brand that claimed it included electrolytes or something. “Here.”
“Thanks,” Trenton said, nodding to the nearby table.
Malcolm placed the bottle there. “Is there anything else either of you need?” The doctor had said Celia had stabilized, but that they’d monitor her for a while to make certain there were no other spikes in blood pressure. So far, they didn’t believe an extended hospitalization would be necessary. “I can run by your place for clothes.”
“Already done,” Blake said as he swept inside the hospital room with a duffel bag. He plopped it on the couch. “And don’t worry, Celia, I closed my eyes when I raided your underwear drawer.”
“Really, Blake?” Trenton said, but some of his tension eased around his eyes.
“Sorry, all you got is me.” Blake shrugged. “Katie was tired after work. Nicholas is already bugging her to reduce her hours now that she’s getting closer.”
“Is she feeling okay?” Celia asked with a frown.
“Better than you.” Blake approached the bed, squeezing her foot. “No scaring us any more, got that?”
Celia’s free hand moved to her stomach. “I’m not sure I can make that promise.”
“Sure you can. Just ask Trent here to help keep you mellow.” Blake winked at his blushing friend. “With all that bed rest, there are lots of ways.”
Malcolm smacked Blake’s arm. “For Christ’s sake, knock it off.”
Blake chuckled, wrapping his arm around Malcolm’s shoulders. “Come on, let’s leave these lovebirds alone.”
Malcolm shrugged his friend off before glancing at Trenton, waiting for his nod. He leaned over Celia, placing a kiss on her forehead. “Call me if you need anything.”
“Try not to be angry with them,” she murmured. She’d already had a headache, or so she’d told him after Trenton mentioned Malcolm’s parents had stopped by. Celia had never been upset at his parents. She still felt obligated to them for taking her in, even though they’d never wanted to.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” was the best he could offer. Blake followed him from the room.
“Want me to drive you home?” Blake asked.
Malcolm shook his head. “I drove my truck.”
“Even still.” Blake ran a hand over his hair. “Or I can just follow you home, and we can grab a drink.”
The slight push behind his words made Malcolm’s lips thin. “So Trenton told you about my parents’ visit when he called?”
“He was worried.” Blake shoved his hands in his pockets.
Some of his residual anger soured at the thought. “He shouldn’t have time to worry about me.”
“Seriously. Everything’s a bit of a mess, isn’t it?”
“Just complicated.” Malcolm checked the time. “It’s still early enough to open the tavern for dinner service. I’ll head there.”
“How are things going with your newest waitress?” Blake asked, wiggling his eyebrows at his blatant change in topic.
