“And one more thing.”
She braces. “I knew there’d be a catch.”
“No hot yoga for a while.”
She barks out a laugh. “Doctor’s orders?”
“I’ll even put it in writing.”
“Don’t worry,” she says. “I’m done with dating. I think I’ll adopt a cat.” She pauses, frowning. “Fuck. I’m allergic to cats.”
“You really are having a bad day.”
“Tragic.”
I stand. “You’re free to go.”
“Thanks, Doc. And please forgive my flirting. I’m not usually like this. Actually, that’s a lie. I’m a chronic flirt.”
I smile despite myself. “Refreshingly honest, Miss Madison.”
The curtain pulls back, and her friends appear. The dark-haired one is already gripping the handles of a wheelchair like she’s been waiting her whole life for this moment.
“The nurse says you’re free to go. Ready for a ride?”
“Go easy with her,” I say, standing aside.
“Don’t worry. We’ve got her. We’ll only crash once.”
I wince, but help Madison carefully off the bed and into the chair while her friends grab her things.
Madison looks up at me, gives a mock salute, then winks. “Thanks, hot doc. I’ll be seeing you in my dreams.”
I shake my head, laughing, as they wheel her out.
Down the hall, there’s a burst of laughter and a screech of wheels about ten seconds before I hear a loud clatter and a string of curses.
Five
Madison
One shitty pillow under my head, three under my knees, and two more wedged at my sides.
Celeste did this. Celeste, who eloped and robbed me of the only bachelorette party I’ve ever cared about planning.
She tucked me in with the tenderness of a mother tucking in her firstborn.
She also brought her new husband.
Julian Blackwood carried me to bed, which was humiliating enough, but it wasn’t as bad as when he looked down at me, smirked, and said, “Look atyou. You’re a princess.”
I felt my dignity float out of my body and lodge itself in the ceiling fan. It’s still there, spinning gently above my head, beside a line of dust I can’t stop staring at.
It’s fine.
I’m fine.
I’m also heavily medicated and possibly still flirting with the concept of death.
