Page 76 of The Overdue Kiss

“Not until one of them leaves Reese’s room. They are being sticklers about the two-visitor rule,” Thor grumbles. “I hate waiting rooms.”

Julia rushes through the automatic doors, causing a stir as much as I had. I wave her over to our little group and fill her in on Reese’s condition.

“You’re shaking,” Cai says, eyeing my hands. “Have you eaten anything today?”

“No, I was waiting for our picnic.”

Julia wraps an arm around my shoulder. “Let’s grab something from the vending machine. I’m a little hungry too.”

As I’m deciding between a bag of corn chips or chocolate donuts, I hear Des’s desperate voice echo down the hall from the waiting room. Donuts forgotten, I jog down the blinding white hallway.

He’s in jeans and a wrinkled t-shirt, his mussed curls on his head more of a mess than usual. Thor and Cai try to calm him down, but he’s too worked up to listen, ready to charge for the exit doors.

“If she’s not picking up, then something is wrong. Let me go. I can’t lose her.”

“Des, wait, stop. I’m right here.”

His face crumbles when he sees me racing toward him, and he meets me halfway. While I’m expecting the hug, I let out a little squeak when he lifts me off my feet, his arms encircling me. He buries his face in the crook of my neck, his words muffled on my skin.

“Is it Reese? Is she okay?” I ask, cupping his face and lifting it so I can see him.

“She’s confused but stable. The dirtbag really bruised her up. He’s lucky the police were already there when I showed up.” He presses his forehead against mine, inhaling slow, calming breaths. “You didn’t answer your phone.”

“I didn’t realize I had all my notifications off since my live yesterday. But I was trying to call you too. Even left you a few voicemails. I thought... I thought you changed your mind about us.”

“No, never.” He jerks back, horrified at the thought. “I drove off in a panic, and I didn’t realize until I arrived at the hospital that I had left my phone on the counter. Trust me, you have no idea how sorry I am that I messed up our date.”

“Don’t even worry about it. I’m sure we’ll have more in our future.” My thumb brushes over his stubbled jaw.

“Good.” He lowers me until my toes touch the floor. His hands link with mine while his red-rimmed eyes trail over my features. “I don’t know what I would have done if I messed this up. This thing between us... it’s nothing I’ve felt before.”

“Excuse me.” A nurse in maroon scrubs flags Des and me over. “The doctor has some test results he wishes to discuss.”

“Can I bring her too?” He raises our intertwined hands.

“Normally only two guests are allowed.” She leans in to whisper, the others too far to hear. “But I can make an exception this once.” She places her index finger on her lips.

The nurse taps her card on the security lock, and we follow her through into the chaos of the emergency department. Nurses zip in and out of patients’ makeshift rooms, whipping closed the flimsy curtains for privacy. A chorus of beeping machines chirp as we continue down the hall, and Des points to a closed curtain to our right.

We slip inside the snug room. Tristen sits by the hospital bed, hunched over Reese and holding her hand under his chin as he listens to her speak, her words slurring.

Cuts and scrapes dot her knuckles, matching the long gash from her brow to her temple. Exhausted, she blinks at us, slowly taking a few seconds to recognize us.

“Oh, Des is back.” Reese sinks into her pillow like a pouting toddler. “I’m ready to go home.”

“You’re not going anywhere until we get your test results back and the doctor checks on you,” Tristen says, ignoring her sharp glare.

“Why are you so bossy?”

“I’m worried.”

“Tris, I’m fine.” She pulls her hand free. “I’m a little groggy and my head hurts. That’s no reason to keep me here when I can sleep in my own bed. When is the nurse coming back?”

“They said they wanted to talk to us, so hopefully soon,” Des says, taking the spot across from Tristen.

Reese rolls her eyes and winces, then sends me an apologetic smile. “Welcome to the hospital party.”

I move to the foot of the bed. “I’m glad you’re all right. You gave us a scare.”

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