“It’s just a migraine,” she protested, but okay, she’d never had them like this until a few weeks ago, and she’d definitely never blacked out during one before. “My purse…”
He bent to lift the black bag from the table by the front door. “I’ll come back for Bear.”
“Mark, you really—”
“We’re going to the hospital,” he repeated. Supporting her easily with one arm, he opened the passenger door of his SUV and set her inside.
She would have protested this macho display, but she wasn’t altogether sure her legs would hold her right now. The pain in her head was so intense that it seemed to radiate through her whole body. She leaned back and closed her eyes as he fastened the seatbelt around her. His fingers brushed her arm, warm and comforting.
Oh, this man…why did he have to be so damn good?
By the time they got to the ER, that intense wave of pain had passed, and she insisted on walking inside. Now that she could think clearly again, she felt a little uncomfortable about being at the hospital, especially with Mark. She signed in at the front desk and then settled into an uncomfortable plastic chair near the back of the waiting room with him at her side. “You really don’t have to stay. Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”
He shook his head. “I’m not on the schedule until noon today.”
Still, she was sure he had better places to be than here with her. “I called in sick today. Hate having to do that.”
He gave her a sharp look. “Why didn’t you say so when I first stopped by?”
She shrugged. “I was feeling better for a little while there.” And there’d been something in his face when he’d shown up, something almost…vulnerable. She’d wanted to spend some time with him, maybe see if she’d finally encountered a chink in his seemingly impenetrable armor. Instead she’d swooned in his arms like an idiot and wound up here at the ER.
“Jess…” He shifted in his seat. “Are you sure it’s just a migraine?”
“What do you mean?” She drew back, the movement causing her head to throb.
“You just haven’t seemed quite well these last few weeks. Maybe you should get checked out, that’s all.”
“Well, I’m here, aren’t I?” she grumbled, closing her eyes.
They sat there for almost an hour together. She was too groggy to come up with small talk and ended up falling asleep with her head on his shoulder instead. As a result, she was already feeling a lot better by the time she was called back.
And what a big waste it all turned out to be. She’d been poked, prodded, and irritated, and all for nothing. The ER doctor gave her a prescription for the pain and told her to follow up with her regular doctor. She was just signing her discharge paperwork when her mother came bursting into the room, wearing scrubs decorated with brightly colored balloons, huffing for breath as if she’d just run all the way from the pediatric wing (which she probably had).
“I just heard you were here! What’s going on?” Paula rushed to her side.
With a sigh, Jessica recounted the events of the morning while her mother buzzed around her in concern. Paula read over the paperwork the ER doctor had given her, gasping dramatically when she learned Jessica had lost consciousness.
“For like a second, Mom. I’m fine.”
“But you don’t usually have migraines like this.”
“No,” Jessica acknowledged. “I’ve been having them a lot the last few weeks though.”
“Definitely follow up with Dr. Rimmel to be sure that’s all it is,” her mom said. “Plus, if they keep up like this, there are some really effective medications available that might help.”
“I will.” Jessica stood, giving her mom a quick hug. “I promise. You’d better get back to work, Mom. I’m ready to get out of here.”
“How are you getting home, sweetie?”
“Mark’s here. He’ll drive me home.”
“Mark?” Her mom raised her eyebrows.
Jessica nodded, regretting it as the movement brought a fresh wave of pain radiating through her head. “He stopped by my house this morning with some paperwork for me to sign. He’s the one who insisted I come get checked out.”
Paula smiled, her expression softening. “Well, tell him thank you for that. You’ve always been too stubborn where doctors are concerned.”
“Stubborn, but not stupid,” Jessica said. “I’ll follow up with Dr. Rimmel, I promise.”
