Page 83 of Wild

"For what?"

"For this morning—I kind of froze and couldn't find the words, but I don't regret what happened last night at the gala."

Mia should've felt relief, but she couldn't bring herself to soften her expression.

"It didn't seem like it, Erin."

"I know, but—"

The cuff finished, and the doctor didn't like what she saw.

"Your blood pressure's a little low. Are you feeling okay?" she asked, brushing the back of her hand slowly across Mia's cheek—something she would never do with any other patient.

"Yes. I'm fine." Mia shrugged, and Erin stood there thinking.

She would have loved to stop the concert—to tell Jude the singer needed rest—but she knew what that meant, and she couldn't do it without real medical grounds.

"I'm going to have them bring you some juice and a handful of nuts. That'll help bring it up a little and won't sit heavy."

"Okay."

The doctor stepped out for a moment to talk to Noah, and she didn't even have to wait for him to come through, because the guy was always prepared, thanks to the list Erin had put together for him of every drink and snack she wanted available near the singer at all times.

"Is she okay?" Mia's best friend asked.

"Yes, don't worry. Just a precaution."

Erin went back to the medical room, opened the packet of nuts and the juice, and when she handed them over, she sat down beside Mia on the table, their legs dangling.

"Want some?" Mia offered, chewing. "These are so good—they're my favorites."

She shook a few more into her palm and popped them in her mouth.

"I know."

Mia turned, surprised.

"What else do you know?"

"I know those are your favorites and that orange juice is the only one you can stomach," she said, nodding at the snack beside her. "You don't like any other flavor—or buttered toast, or coffee that's too hot, or soda without ice. You only put your hair up when you're really warm. You look down when something overwhelms you, and you can see your pulse in your throat when you're nervous." Erin brushed her fingertips lightly over Mia's jugular, and Mia went very still. "You love wearing oversized hoodies so you can tuck your legs inside while you're on the couch. You only read books with sapphic main characters, and you feel safe when Noah's beside you in meetings."

Erin slid off the table and stepped between her legs.

"I also know that I really like you, that thinking about what happens to us when the tour ends terrifies me, and that you have the most incredible eyes I've ever seen."

The doctor placed one hand behind her head and gave her a short, soft kiss on the lips.

"I don't have regrets, Mia, and I don't want to play games with you—I never meant to, and I'm sorry if I gave you that impression. But we should talk about us at some point, figure out what we each want and whether we're in the same place, or at least close enough that this could actually work."

"Okay." Mia set down the bag of nuts and wiped her mouth on her hoodie sleeve before wrapping her arms around the back of Erin's neck. "Can we talk tonight in your room? That way we get this sorted out once and for all."

Erin caught her under the thighs and lifted her as Mia locked her legs around her waist with a slow, knowing smile.

"Are you going to fuck me against the wall?" She bit down on Erin's earlobe, and the doctor felt a current shoot straight through her.

"Absolutely not. Nothing's happening—not now, not tonight. You need rest," she whispered against her mouth.

"That's a shame, because I love it when you fuck me against the wall," she breathed into her ear, and the confession almost made Erin stumble.