“This is… not... him,” Emily mutters under her breath. “Are you collecting billionaires now, Lu? Where do I sign up?”
Graham smiles faintly, not offended. “Hi, my name is Graham, I am a friend of Lucy's.”
I focus on the nurse.
“My name is Lucy Bennett. Marianne Bennett is my mother. I have medical power of attorney.”
The nurse’s expression changes immediately. Professional. Focused. “Thank you. The doctor is with her now. He’ll come speak with you shortly, and then you can go in. Let me take you to the waiting area closest to her room.”
Emily squeezes my hand as we follow her.
The waiting area is small. Too bright. Too cold.
I realize I’m rubbing my arms, the chill finally getting through the thin fabric of my dress.
Before I can even think about it, Graham steps closer and gently drapes his tux jacket around me.
“There,” he says quietly. “You’re shaking.”
“I’m fine,” I lie.
He doesn’t call me on it. And I try to ignore how the warmth from his jacket is instantly soothing.
Emily watches the exchange with tired, curious eyes. “So… you are friends with my sister... and you were at the Gala with her... too?”
Graham smiles. “I suppose so.”
“Cool,” she says weakly. Then turns to me, “Was it some sort of exchange program?”
Graham chuckles, and it is a warm, comforting sound, “No. Your sister needed someone, and I was there. However, I wouldn't object to the exchange,” he replies with a wink.
Emily snorts out a laugh, elbowing me, "Oh, I like this one."
A nurse walks past, clipboard in hand. My stomach twists.
Graham excuses himself. When he comes back a few minutes later, he’s carrying a cardboard tray with three coffee cups, a takeout bag from a popular Italian restaurant in town and a bag of pastries.
“I figured you hadn’t eaten,” he says, setting them down. “Or if you have, it probably wasn’t anything that counts.”
Emily’s eyes light up like he just offered her oxygen. “You are a saint.”
I take a coffee, the warmth grounding.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
We sit. We wait. Em eats.
My phone stays silent, and I try my hardest not to think about the dark-haired, emotionally constipated asshole.
Chapter 23 - Lucy
The doctor looks tired as he steps out of my mom's room. Not rushed, just worn in that way people get when they’ve delivered too much bad news and not enough miracles.
He closes the door behind him and gives Emily and me a careful smile. “Lucy Bennett?”
I nod and stand. “That’s me.”
“I’m Dr. Nguyen. I’m the attending physician on duty tonight.” He glances down at the tablet in his hands. “Your mother was brought in unconscious. We stabilized her, but she hasn’t regained full responsiveness yet. She’s not in immediate danger, but she is not out of it either.”
