The girls hurried over and hovered over me like mother hens, hugging me, offering me food and drink, and bombarding me with questions. Cam was more reserved, but his restless eyes and clenched jaw betrayed his worry.
I managed to interrupt them long enough for a query of my own.
“What are you guys doing here?”
Janine cleared her throat, looking a little guilty. “It’s my fault I’m afraid. A nurse brought me Sebastian’s things, including his phone. Miraculously, it’s still intact—unlike my pig-headed baby brother.” She took a deep breath. “Anyway, it kept ringing, and I answered it. It was Lily. She’d been trying to call you all day, and since you weren’t answering, she got worried and tried to call Sebastian.”
Lily stepped forward. “Janine told me what happened, so I called the girls and asked them to meet me here. We had to be here for you and Sebastian.”
“How is he doing?” Cam spoke softly.
“He’s okay,” I said. “Well, not so great right now, but he’ll be fine.”
“And how are you doing?” Nikki asked, rubbing my shoulder. “Janine said you donated an impressive amount of blood for Sebastian. That can cause many side effects, including low blood pressure, nausea, and light-headedness.”
I took in her T-shirt, yoga pants, and house slippers. God bless her, she looked like she’d just rushed out of bed. So did Lily, Sue, and Cam. I had the best friends in the world.
“I know, my walking medical encyclopedia.” I squeezed Nikki’s hand. “I’m fine. After a night’s sleep I’ll be even better, and in a few days, my blood supply will be as good as new.”
“Do you need a ride home?” Ange stepped forward.
How the hell could she look this well put together all the time?
She noticed me staring at her tight red dress, black stilettos, and perfectly groomed shiny curls.
“I was on a dinner date when Lily called.” She smiled sheepishly.
“Sorry about that,” I said. “You didn’t need to come—”
“Shut up.” Sue planted her hands on her hips, forcing me to look down at her. “You should have called at least one of us, not try to go through this on your own.”
“I agree,” Cam put in, wrapping an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “You should have called us right away.”
“I was a bit busy,” I said. “Besides, I didn’t want to worry you. Janine was here with me. She’s... pretty awesome.”
My gaze met Janine’s, and she smiled warmly, a kind of magical understanding passing between us. Tonight, we’d formed a bond.
“Sebastian’s looking good.” I spoke to Janine over Sue and Nikki’s heads. They always made me feel like a giraffe.
Janine nodded. The harsh fluorescent lighting emphasized the dark circles under her eyes. I probably looked just as bad.
“God, it’s been a long day.” I stifled a yawn. “Thanks so much for coming over, guys. I’m really sorry you were worried. Let’s just all go home. I have my truck, so I don’t need a ride. Just some sleep.”
“Go home, have something else to eat, and sleep.” Lily gave me another quick hug. “We’ve agreed to call the New York Blood Donor Center tomorrow and make an appointment to donate blood. You rest. Call us if you need anything: food, groceries, a functional ear…”
“Wine,” Sue suggested brightly.
“Chocolate,” Ange added promptly.
I raised an eyebrow. “You guys are amazing. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Thank you for everything.”
I hooked an arm through Janine’s as we followed the others out of the room.
“Come on, I’ll give you a ride home,” I said.
“Are you sure? I can call a cab.”
“I’m very sure. Here, let me have that.”
