I insist, "You need sleep. I think you should go to your parents."
"No. And you can't make me." She glares at me.
"Blue—"
"Are you going to try to put me in the hospital?" Her eyes fill with tears.
I study her, wondering if I missed something in her chart. I cautiously ask, "Have you been in the hospital before?"
She shakes her head. "No. But my parents threatened to put me there if I didn't come see you."
"Ah. I see."
She frets, "Can they do that?"
My heart races at the thought of her being admitted against her will, wearing a straitjacket, and heavily sedated. I answer, "If you're a danger to yourself or others, then yes, you can be admitted for evaluation."
Hurt sparks into her eyes. Tears spill over them. She scrunches her face, begging, "Please don't ever let them do that to me."
I remind myself I'm a doctor and of my duties. I prod, "Are you a danger to yourself or others right now?"
"Do you think I am?" she sniffles, as if betrayed.
"Want my honest answer?"
Fear grows, but she nods as more tears fall.
I take a minute to assess her, then answer, "Honestly, I'm worried about you. It's been too long since you've slept or eaten anything. I offered you a sleeping aid, and you refused to even consider it. I don't think you should be alone right now."
"I could stay with you. I bet I could sleep if I were next to you," she blurts out.
My dick betrays me again. I shake my head. "That isn't an option."
"Why? Your place seems big."
I gape at her.
"What did I say?" she asks, with true confusion on her face.
She knows where I live.
Tingles burst in my nerves.
What the fuck is happening to me?
This is wrong.
"How do you know the size of my home?" I question.
Her expression morphs like a kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar. "Um..."
In a stern tone, I warn, "Blue. I want the truth. And don't lie to me."
She straightens, lifts her chin, and pins a challenging gaze into mine. "I followed you on Sunday."
"Why?"
"In case you decided to chuck me to the curb."
