I reach for the doorknob but the door opens and the light switches on.
“Ah!”
“Ah!”
We both scream in surprise.
The nurse grasps her chest. “What are you doing in here? I told Robert he wasn’t allowed to play hide and seek anymore.”
Robert? Who’s Robert? Wait a sec. I don’t care. I go with it.
I shrug. “You know Robert.”
“Go on.” She motions me into the hallway. “Get out of here before Dr. Stick in the Mud sees you.”
She doesn’t have to tell me twice. I rush down the hallway and out the front door. But when I start for my vehicle, I realize I don’t have one. I’m stranded.
“Thanks for picking me up,” I say when I climb into Parker’s car ten minutes later.
“Not a problem.”
Parker and I have been friends since I arrived on the island. Unfortunately, we don’t have a chance to meet up often since she works crazy hours operating her bakery.
“How’s Jeremy?”
Another reason we haven’t had much chance to meet up. She fell in love with a billionaire who was visiting the island for Christmas. Lucky girl.
“I’ll tell you all about him if you tell me why I had to pick you up from the hospital when you obviously aren’t injured.”
I sigh. “What are the chances you don’t already know?”
She shrugs. “I know Adele is sick since Jeremy was having a meeting with Eli when Eli found out.”
I forgot her boyfriend and Eli are partners. They foundedApparoo,a multi-billion-dollar company that develops apps for your phone.
“What I don’t know is why the little baby girl you love is sick in the hospital and yet you’re calling me for a ride.”
I study the passing scenery as tears well in my eyes. “It’s a long story,” I manage to say before the damn breaks and tears pour down my face.
She pats my arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to make you cry.”
“You didn’t.” I sniff. “Zane Asshole Raider did.”
“Asshole? Strange middle name.”
“Don’t be funny. It’s not funny. Nothing’s funny. Nothing will ever be funny again.”
I sob and she stops on the side of the road to pull me into her arms. It’s awkward since we’re in the front seat of the car, but I cling to her anyway. I’ll accept whatever comfort I can get.
She rubs her hand up and down my back until I’ve exhausted all the tears I have. I’m sure I’ll cry more later, but for now, my tear ducts have dried up. I pull away and lean against the passenger seat.
“Where am I driving you?”
I groan. I have nowhere to go. This is what I get for dating my boss. Have I mentioned lately what an idiot I am?
“I have an idea.” She puts the car into gear and drives toward Smuggler’s Rest.
“I’m not staying with you and Jeremy. No offense, but all your lovey-dovey stuff will turn me into a homicidal maniac.”
