The genuine relief in June's expression was unmistakable, and Lacey found herself wondering about the connection she'd observed between June and Dean over the past few days. There was clearly a deep friendship there, forged through years of shared experiences and mutual support. Before she could stop it, a twinge of jealousy, unlike anything she’d felt before, hit her, and she gave herself a stern talking to.
“I need to do a full examination of Lacey,” Lucy told them. “So I need you all to clear out the room.”
“Mom, Ginny and I need to go get the girls from Willa’s and take them home. They’re there with Mina. We’ll pop past in the morning as I know they’ll want to see you,” Noah told his mother.
“Of course, sweetheart,” Lacey said. “Tell them their grandmother’s okay and I’ll see them tomorrow.”
Noah kissed her cheek, and Ginny followed suit before the two of them left.
“I’m going to grab some water in the cafeteria,” Dean told her. “I’ll be right outside.”
Dean left.
“Really?” Margo said as June helped her up. “I’ve just got here.”
“And you shouldn’t be here,” Lucy stated. "You need to get back to your own bed and rest. Your body needs time to process and eliminate the chemicals you were exposed to."
"But I just got here," Margo complained, though she allowed her mother to support her weight as she stood. "We haven't even talked about what we remember from the attack."
“June…” Lacey stopped her from walking out the door. “Can you stay? I need to talk to you…” She glanced at her sister. “About… about the clinic.”
“Uh…” June looked worriedly at Margo.
“I’m fine,” Margo assured her. “I’m just next door. I can get there on my own.”
“Lucy wants to…” June said, looking at Lucy.
“It’s okay,” Lucy said. “I know the clinic is really upsetting my sister, and until she knows whatever needs to be done gets done…” She sighed. “I won’t get any accurate readings from her.” She walked to her daughter. “Looks like I’ll be the one escorting you back to your room.”
“That’s awesome,” Margo said with sarcastic sweetness. “It’s been a while since my mother tucked me into bed.”
“After this stunt, you’re lucky I don’t restrain you to the hospital bed,” Lucy warned her daughter. “Come along.”
"June," Margo whispered conspiratorially, grabbing June’s arm before she could walk back into the room. "Can you find me a burger and some chips? And maybe a double vanilla malt? I’mstarving and I know what they serve here." She made a gagging movement.
June sighed and rolled her eyes with fond exasperation. "Margo, I don't think fast food is what your system needs right now."
"I'll get you something to eat that I think you should actually be consuming after tonight's trauma," Lucy said dryly, having heard every word of her daughter's request. "Something light and easy to digest. Now come back to bed with you."
As Lucy began steering Margo back out the door, Margo turned and mouthed silently to June, "Please, a burger, chips, and a malt."
June laughed despite herself as Lucy dragged her protesting daughter away, their voices fading as they moved down the hospital corridor.
June went to the door but before she closed it, Lacey asked. “Can you call Dean in here, please?”
“Sure,” June said, frowning. “I’ll be right back.”
Lacey blew out a breath and tried to relax as she waited. She didn’t have long until the door opened, and June slipped in with Dean, who had two bottles of cold water in his hand.
“Are one of those for me?” Lacey asked hopefully. “My throat is so dry.”
“Uh…” Dean glanced at the door and then back to Lacey. “Sure, if you’re allowed to drink one.”
He handed her the bottle, and his fingers brushed hers, sending a warm tingling sensation down her arm.
Lacey ignored it, popped open the bottle, and took a careful sip of the cold liquid. She took a breath and turned to her friend.
"June, you were right about everything," Lacey said quietly. "I do have an enemy, and now I'm absolutely terrified because I nearly got my niece killed because of it."
