“Wake up, sweetheart. It’s time to go home.”
Beth slowly opened her eyes and blinked up at Bryce, realizing it wasn’t a dream—he really was there. Flushed from her dream, she accepted his help as she sat up and took the cup of water and pills he offered, swallowing them without asking what they were. This time, she let him help her off the exam table and steady her until the room stopped spinning.
“You okay?” he asked.
At her nod, he reluctantly released her.
They didn’t speak as they left the ER, the silence stretching comfortably between them.
Bryce matched her slow pace, his hand steady at the small of her back as he guided her down the hallway toward the exit.
Neither of them noticed Crystal standing near the supply closet, paused mid-restock.
Her eyes followed them—watched the way Beth leaned into him, how Bryce kept glancing down like he was afraid she might disappear.
Crystal’s lips curved, but it wasn’t a smile.
Unaware of the eyes on them, they pushed through the doors into the employee lot. Exhaustion cloaked them both—his from the long, sleepless night working a double shift, hers from the dull, throbbing ache in her skull. Every step felt heavy.
When Beth stopped at her Jeep, Bryce said, “We’ll take my car. Do you need anything out of yours?”
Beth didn’t answer. She just leaned over the door, grabbed her makeup bag, and followed him to his silver Jetta. She sank into the passenger seat, buckled her seatbelt, and rested her aching head against the leather headrest.
As he started the engine, Bryce glanced over at her. “I’m sorry if I came across as high-handed and demanding in there.”
He reached over, his touch gentle along her hairline—careful to avoid the small swollen lump beneath the cut.
“Noifabout it. You did. You were also pushy, rude… and annoyingly right,” she admitted, though her tone didn’t quite match the complaint.
“Fine, I’m sorry for those too—except the part about being right.” Gripping the steering wheel, he looked over at her again. “My heart stopped when I saw blood running down your face.” His tone was softer now, too.
“Like I said before, it wasn’t that big of a deal.” Beth said with a shrug.
“If you don’t think seven stitches is a big deal, I’m afraid to ask what you do think qualifies.”
The rest of the drive passed in silence, with Beth quietly directing him through streets he didn’t know. He’d never been to her place before.
He parked where she told him, got out, and opened her door. The hallway inside was dim and narrow—he frowned. The place didn’t look especially safe.
As she headed for the stairs, he said, “Let’s take the elevator.”
“It’s been broken for about a year now.”
He reluctantly followed her up the stairs. At her door, Beth paused and waited while he retrieved the keys from his pocket. When Bryce tried to insert the key, the door opened.
“It wasn’t shut all the way. Wait here while I check it out,” Bryce said, stepping inside first.
“Don’t worry about it. I probably just didn’t pull it closed. I was in a hurry—especially the second time I left.”
Seeing the look on his face, Beth added, “You’d better get back to the hospital. I’m going to take a shower. Thanks for bringing me home.”
“Actually, since I covered for Gibson, he’s covering my shift. I’m at your disposal.”
“Oh…well, okay. You can stay if you want, but I need to shower. If you’re staying and want coffee, the filters are above the pot and the beans are in the freezer. If not…” she shrugged, “I’ll see you later.”
Beth turned and walked down the hall.
CHAPTER 10
