“Give me one good reason why.” I stare at the ceiling. Everything about this woman tries my patience. Everything.
“Um. Because?”
I crack the door. I’m not interested in any bathroom venture that is full of worry and back-and-forth questions, and I’m loath to go when a woman says no. But I can’t be useless when I’m here and can help. “I need a reason, or I’m coming in in three, two?—”
She growls. “Fine. I started my period, okay? As if the last few days weren’t stressful enough, I’m at the hospital and I have no, um… supplies”—she clears her throat—“in my purse. Are you happy?”
24
hell-no zone
Liam
“Well, the growl makes four, so yeah. But the rest? That’s just circumstances.” I look to the main door. “I’ll be back. Don’t move.”
At the rate I’m coming and going from this room, they could put me on payroll.
Finding the desk again, I see the same man as before, asking again if we have an update on discharge or food. He assures me he’s noted it in her chart. I level him with a look that would make scarier men tremble. Long enough, apparently, that he lifts the phone and calls someone—I don’t care who—to ask verbally.
A female nurse rounds the desk about the same time. Her eyes go wide and her forced swallow is visible. My smile is casual as I say, “I need a tampon or a pad please.”
The blush that creeps up her chest would’ve been one that I took as a cluebefore. Before I might’ve cared.
She glances to my hand in what she thinks is a nonchalant gesture, before turning to a lower cabinet and handing me one of each.
I thumb the silicone that sits at the base of my ring finger and fidget with the band. I have to say, it made access to Lorien so much easier.
“Thank you.” Tilting my head to the nurse who is still askingabout Lorien’s discharge, I add, “Would one of you please let us know what’s going on? It’s been hours.”
The bathroom door is shut when I return.
“I have a tampon and a pad,” I announce. “And a nurse should be around sooner or later so we can get you sprung from this place.”
The door cracks a minimal amount, and her thin hand reaches through the crack.
I pass both items through the door and note she isn’t wearing the ring I bought her. I haven’t seen her car, but by the sound of it, maybe today wouldn’t have been the best day to start.
Tomorrow, though… It will be on her finger.
Lorien
Having your period at such an inconvenient time might as well be adding insult to injury. So of course, it would show today of all days. At least they’re short and light, but that’s little consolation right now.
I don’t need more stress. And I certainly don’t need to be on even more of a hair-trigger than the situation warrants. But I didn’t recognize the heightened emotions or the agitation just under the surface.
Lawsuits and marriage proposals were enough. Add the stress of vandalism, an attempted break in, and running my car through a brick wall to escape the baddie who thought it would fun to play push with my car, and I’m surprised my cycle showed at all.
My car… I wasn’t looking for another expense. Or another to-do. But I’m going to guess I need a new one. I vaguely remember not having a door. Could that be right?
I don’t want to look Liam in the face. How much more couldI make myself undesirable than I have over and over again in his presence? At least we won’t get emotionally entangled.
Ha.
As if I’m not already softening toward him.
As if I don’t already want him.
As if hiding in the bathroom could make any of this better.
