Page 65 of Love Sick

Me:Syphilis, pregnant and allergic to penicillin

Alesha:Sucks for her.

Sapphire :Consult infectious disease

Me:I need help!

Kai:You need an exorcist

Sapphire :Come to my apartment when you get home. I have a bunch of apps that will help you.

“I need help now!” I yell at my phone, startling the nurse beside me.

She gives me an unsure smile.

“Sorry.” I rub my face. “Hectic day.”

“Yeah, it’s busy for a Saturday.” She touches my shoulder. “Did you get sleep last night?”

I take a quick glance at her name tag. So many nurses work this floor, and I swear half of them are named Ashley. This one is Ariel. I search her face for one feature I might remember.

Blue eyes like the ocean. Ariel the mermaid.

“Not really.” I blink, sleepy and slow.

I’m pretty sure I look like a more exhausted version of death, but she gives a thirsty smile, hand still on my shoulder. “Well, if I can help with anything, just let me know.”

My eyebrows lift. Seriously? Am I being hit on right now?

“Here. I’ll give you my number.” She slides my unlocked phone from my weak grasp and brazenly proceeds to text herself, stealing my phone number.

“Thanks.” I grab my phone with stiff fingers when she offers it. Sort of rude, just filching it like that. I would have given her my number willingly if she’d asked.

“No problem. You’ll get better sleep tonight.”

Yeah. Because I’ll be in my own bed. Without an ASCOM.

In the last three hours of my shift, things slow and I sneak away to the call room to lay down. No sooner does my head hit the pillow than the ASCOM lets out a loud beep indicating its battery is low.

If I was a crying man, I’d cry. I really would.

Instead, I heave myself from the bed and return to the nursing desk to change the battery.

Later that night, I shower and eat, then head to Grace’s apartment like she requested. Because I’m a good puppy who follows directions.

I’m pathetic.

She opens the door, a knockout in her red dress and devil-red lipstick, hair half up and curled.

“Oh.” I blink at the vision before me. “Are you going out?”

“Yeah, remember? A bunch of us are going to that vodka bar. You said no because you had to work today.”

I rub my eyes. “Right. I forgot.”

A soft laugh precedes her hand grasping my wrist and dragging me inside. “Did you get any sleep?”

“Maybe like thirty minutes. I don’t know.”

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