I’m finally allowed to see Sally. I’ve been checking in for a week, and she’s out of intensive care and permitted visitors outside of immediate family. I’m so relieved I could cry. Actually, I do cry a little as I make my way down the hospital corridor toward her room.
The sterile smell of disinfectant fills my nostrils. I instantly miss work, but not enough to start applying for anything just yet. I have no idea what I want to do.
I knock and then push open the door to her room and step inside. The sight of her sitting up in bed, looking pale but alive, nearly makes me cry hot tears. I don’t. She’s got a nasal cannula for oxygen, and there are still monitors beeping softly beside her bed, but she’s awake. She’s here and very much alive.
“Sally,” I say, rushing to her bedside. “Oh my god, Sally.”
She turns her head and smiles at me, though the effort clearly costs her. There are dark circles under her eyes, and her skin has a grayish tinge. She’s lost weight, too, her cheeks more hollow than I remember. But her eyes…her eyes are still Sally. Still warm and full of life.
“Wren,” she says, her voice raspy and weak. “Come here, you.”
I go to her, taking her hand carefully. It feels so fragile in mine.
“You’re looking good,” I tell her, even though my throat is tight with emotion.
Sally laughs, and it turns into a small cough. “You’re full of it,” she says once she’s caught her breath. “But I appreciate the lie.” She squeezes my hand. “I’m just glad to be alive.” Her eyes fill with tears, which she blinks away.
I squeeze back, not trusting myself to speak for a moment.
“Thank you,” Sally continues, her voice thick. “For putting yourself on the line like that. You and Grim went above and beyond. You saved my life, Wren.”
I shake my head. “We did what anyone would have done.”
“No,” Sally insists. “You did more than that. You risked everything. Speaking of Grimalicious…” She pauses, a small smile playing at her lips despite everything. “He was here this morning. You missed him.”
I shrug. “How was he?” I ask, kicking myself. I don’t care. I don’t! He can go to hell.
“Gorgeous as ever…only…he looked tired. I’m not sure… Not really himself.”
My heart does that stupid flutter thing before I can stop it.
“How so?” I ask, trying to keep my voice casual.
Sally studies me for a moment. “I guess he looked sullen and brooding.”
“His normal self, then?” I snort, aiming for lightness.
Sally shakes her head slowly. “Nah…I can’t put my finger on it. Hollowed out, I guess.” She shrugs slightly, then winces at the movement.
I look away, focusing on the IV stand beside her bed. I don’t want to think about Grim looking hollowed out. I don’t want to care.
Sally’s quiet for a moment, and when she speaks again, there’s a knowing tone to her voice. “I want to hear all about it. Grim didn’t tell me much of anything. Just that the two of you had to spend some time holed up together.” She bobs her brows.
“There isn’t much to say,” I mutter, still not meeting her eyes.
“You were in the same house with Grimalicious for over a week,” she says, and I can hear the smile in her voice. “You have to have something for me, Wren. Did you climb him like a pole? I saw what he was packing, girl. Did you get some?”
Heat floods my face. “Sally, you were shot in the chest and almost died. How are you thinking about this right now?”
“Because thinking about you and Grim getting it on is way more fun than thinking about how I almost died,” she gets right down to it. “So? Did you?”
I sigh. “No. Nothing happened.”
Sally’s eyes narrow. “You’re lying. You totally slept with him!” Her face lights up with excitement. “Tell me about it. Was it good? Did he—?” She stops, her expression shifting as she really looks at me. “Wait. What is it? What’s wrong?”
I feel my eyes start to sting.
“Did you fall for him?” Sally asks gently. “Doesn’t he feel the same as you?”
