Hadley let the diagnosis sink into her exhausted brain. She was usually the definition of healthy, catching a cold or two each year but nothing else. She stared at the IV needle on the top of her hand where fluids were being pumped into her.
“You’re sure?” Hadley assumed the doctor was telling her the truth, but she found it hard to believe a runny nose and sore throat could turn into pneumonia.
“Yes. It’s what your friend Rizzo thought, and X-rays confirm it.”
So it was true. She blew out a breath only to cough.
The doctor’s gaze moved from her to Blaise, who stood in the corner of the ER treatment room. Rizzo had left thirty minutes ago, but she wasn’t sure where he’d gone. She hoped he was sleeping. They’d been here all night.
“I don’t have the blood test results,” the doctor said. “The sputum culture won’t come back for several days, but based on what I saw under the microscope, it’s bacterial, not viral. I’ll send you home with a prescription for antibiotics. You can use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for the fever. You also need to rest and stay hydrated. You should feel better shortly. If not, see your primary care physician. A full recovery can take weeks, even months.”
That wasn’t what she wanted to hear. “I live in San Francisco. I’m flying home Sunday. I mean, later today.”
The doctor frowned. “You need to finish your antibiotics before you fly, and then see how you’re doing before you get on a plane. You’re young and healthy, but pneumonia is nothing to shrug off.”
She coughed as if her body wanted to emphasize the point.
Blaise took a step toward the bed where she lay. “Hadley’s not flying anywhere until she’s recovered.”
Easy for him to say.
She had responsibilities and obligations. Some could be done remotely, but not the meetings she had scheduled. She’d only booked one night at the hotel, using her reward points—those added up fast with her visits to New York—and she hoped they could extend her stay until she returned home.
“Stop thinking so hard,” Blaise said. “You’ll strain your brain.”
Too late. Her mind was on total overload.
And that wasn’t going to end.
Somehow she had to retrieve her car and suitcase from Blaise’s house, find a pharmacy to fill her prescription, and check in to the hotel. A call to Fallon could wait until Hadley was settled in her room. She could text Ella tonight to ask what could be rescheduled. Working remotely wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world though Hadley might need a day or two off until she could breathe better. But more time than that…
Hadley coughed again, wondering if she would hack up a lung before she felt better. Eyes burning, she blinked to keep the tears at bay. She couldn’t lose it.
“Hadley?” Blaise asked.
She raised her chin, ignoring how the slight movement hurt. “Just a lot to figure out.”
That was the safest thing she could say to him.
Hadley had to remain in control. Take things one step at a time. That was how she did everything—because it worked. Her recovery would be no different.
“Not for a few days.” The dark circles under his eyes and his drawn face showed how tired he was. “You need to rest.”
“So do you.” Blaise had been with her except during the chest X-rays.
“After you finish the fluids, the nurse will be in to take out the IV and give you the discharge papers.”
“Thanks,” she and Blaise said in unison.
“Finish all your antibiotics even if you feel better. And don’t overdo it.” With that, the doctor left.
“I’m sorry.” They spoke on top of each other again.
Blaise half laughed, but that didn’t take away the weariness from his eyes. “You first.”
“I’m sorry you had to be stuck here all night. You’re losing your Sunday now.” Breathing still hurt, but she continued on. “I’ll be out of your hair—”
“Stop.” His gaze hardened, reminding her of the rocks she and the kids had seen at Point Reyes. “You’re coming home with me.”
