It seems unnecessary, but I can understand why he’s worried.
I spent weeks in a hospital bed. I struggled to walk more than a few steps at a time once I was conscious enough to leave my bed. This probably looks like a relapse into poorer health to him, not a moment of emotional vulnerability that overwhelmed my body.
These tests won’t do me any harm.
If nothing else, they’ll prove that I’m all good.
I hold out my arm as he takes my blood pressure.
“Normal,” he confirms, after a few silent seconds.
I smile back at him.
One test down, he asks a few questions, before he calls for a nurse.
I answer them honestly, and he seems satisfied with my responses.
The questions make me even more certain that I collapsed for a single reason.
I was well hydrated, I’d eaten breakfast in the kitchen that morning, and I hadn’t overexerted myself physically right before it happened. Therefore, there was no reason for me to collapse, other than because I being overwhelmed by my emotions.
The nurse enters the room, and I do what she asks, giving her my right arm for the blood to be taken. The needle nips my skin, making me wince. I don’t watch as she draws my blood.
When it’s all done, and the nurse has left the room with my sample, Dr. Clarke gives me a smile.
“If you’re feeling okay to get up, we’re done. For now.”
I get to my feet. “I feel fine. Thanks.”
He nods, and gets up, moving past me to his office door.
He opens it and I walk over to where he’s standing.
“You know if there’s every anything you want to talk about …” he starts, giving me an awkward smile and sighing before adding, “I’m not trying to insinuate anything bad about Pack Falcone. Clearly, you’ve chosen them as your mates, and it looks like a fated match. But given the situation here, it would be an oversight not to offer you help. You’re not alone here, Robin. You have friends if you need them. Ifanythingever feels … off, about someone or some situation, I’m here for you, and so is Lana.”
I give him a smile that’s probably even more awkward than the one he just gave me.
He’s trying to look out for me, like Lana does, but neither of them really needs to do that anymore, and I think they know it. Still, it’s nice that they care.
“I understand.”
He nods. “Well, have a good day and make sure you get some rest. I’ll call the kitchen. I don’t want you to have to go back to work after this. I should have your test results tomorrow. Youcan think about going back to work after I’m sure you’re doing okay.”
“Uh, sure,” I murmur, realizing that means I’m heading straight back to spend time with my new mates. “Thanks.”
“I’ll speak to you tomorrow,” he says, holding the door open for me.
I leave the room, waiting for him to close the door over before I slip into the nearby bathroom.
The lights flicker on when I enter, and I can see I don’t look quite as awful as I’d imagined the moment my gaze catches on my reflection in the mirror above the sinks.
I take three steps closer, getting to the sink closest to the door.
Leaning in, I look at my face.
My cheeks are red, which isn’t a surprise.
Other than that, it’s not so bad.
