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“Okay, let’s go,” she said quietly. “There’s only about half a dozen people in there, and the lady at the front desk is busy admitting someone new.”
Heart still pounding hard, I nodded mutely and stepped forward.
Noticing that I was trying to recover from the fright she’d given me, she reached for my arm, but obviously never touched it. “I’m sorry; did I scare you?”
“I’m good,” I assured her, pushing past it. When the front doors slid open at my approach, I glanced over and whispered, “Here we go.”
She sent me a worried cringe and then crossed her fingers on both hands.
We entered side by side and not a single person glanced over. The man at the front counter was moaning loudly and carrying on, bent at the waist and holding his side, taking everyone’s attention. I started to look as well until Raina said, “This way.”
Tearing my gaze from the spectacle, I followed her to a side door. When she disappeared through it, I paused, not at all comfortable with the idea of following until she poked just her head and shoulders back out. “It’s clear. Come on.”
Gnashing my teeth, I grabbed the door handle and pulled.
Only to find it locked.
“Are you freaking kidding me?” Raina’s entire body appeared beside me so she could scowl at the door.
“Maybe this is where you should continue without me,” I murmured under my breath.
I mean, I’d gotten her to the hospital. What else was I really good for from here on out?
But Raina looked at me with wide, frightened eyes. “I really don’t know if I can face myself alone. What if I’ve been hideously disfigured? Oh my God.” Gripping her waist, she went suddenly pale. “Do you know if I lost any body parts?”
“I…” I shook my head. “I have no idea.”
“Oh God, oh God, oh God,” she chanted, wringing her hands and pacing the floor. “I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t know if I can face my own reality.”
Realizing she wasn’t going to move on without me, I glanced around helplessly until I spotted another door nearby. Hurrying over, I tried it, and when it actually opened, I hissed, “Psst.”
Raina turned and visibly wilted. “Oh, thank goodness.” She surged forward, claiming, “Let me check the hall for you.”
Rushing ahead, she skidded to the bend in the hall, then held up a hand behind her, ordering me to wait.
I jarred to a halt and watched her as I heard voices and footsteps. After they receded, Raina looked back at me and grinned. “Man, am I good at this or what? Let’s go.”
I rolled my eyes but then had to grin over her eager enthusiasm.
In the next hall, we had a longer stretch to go before coming to another intersection, so Raina dashed ahead to check that corner. “The elevators are this way, right?”
When I nodded, she grinned. “Great. You’re free to proceed.”
I chuckled softly, entertained by her vivacity. Until we heard the ding of the elevator.
“Wait, wait.” She held up her hand. “Oh, crap. Quick. Hide!”
“What? Where?” I hissed because there was absolutely nowhere for me to go. Until I spotted the opening of a darkened waiting room. I dove inside and plopped down on my ass next to a chair and a tall plant just as two orderlies walked past, carrying snacks and talking about their pets.
After they were gone, Raina peered into the room and cringed. “Sorry.”
I blew out a breath and shook my head as I pushed my way back to my feet. “It’s fine.”
When we reached the elevator, Raina ran her finger along the directory on the wall. “Let’s see. I’ll probably be in intensive care, right? So that is…”
I pushed the button for the fourth floor. I’d been to the ICU way too much in the last couple of months. First, Damien had gotten stabbed in the stomach. Then Hudson had gotten run over by a car. I actually knew the name of one of the nurses up there now.
Darlene. She was petite and curvy and friendly as all get out. Keene had dubbed her Grandma.
