“I guess she got hit harder than we thought.” Mason’s thumb scrolls through what must be a text or email, his face illuminated by the blue light. “She’s in the ICU.”
“Jesus.” Atticus moves closer, reading over Mason’s shoulder. “When did you find this out?”
“Just now. She has a sister in Phoenix who’s her emergency contact. The sister got a call from the hospital a few hours ago and just sent me a message. She won’t be able to make it out for a few days.”
A chill runs through me that has nothing to do with the October air. Stephanie and I aren’t exactly friends—she’s always been more of the studio’s ally than mine—but the thought of her lying in a hospital bed with tubes and machines keeping her alive…
“We should visit her,” I say.
Mason’s head snaps up. “What?”
“We should go to the hospital. See how she’s doing. The hospital can’t be that far away.” I’m already on my phone, pulling up directions. “We can call a rideshare.”
“Phoenix.” Mason’s voice has that edge—the one that means he thinks I’m being unreasonable. “It’s almost ten PM. Visiting hours are over.”
“So? We’ll say we’re family.”
“They’re not going to let us in.”
“They might,” Atticus interjects, earning a glare from Mason. “It’s probably worth a try. Stephanie doesn’t have anyone else here.”
Mason looks like he wants to argue, but doesn’t bother to try.
The sliding glass doors of Harmony Harbor General Hospital part with a pneumatic hiss, releasing the unmistakable smell of disinfectant and recycled air. A nurse looks up from the intake desk, her expression shifting from boredom to recognition as we approach.
“Can I help you?” she asks, eyes darting between the three of us.
I step forward, summoning my most sincere smile. “We’re here to see Stephanie Gerber. She was admitted earlier today.”
“I’m sorry, visiting hours ended at eight.” The nurse—her badge reads “Nancy”—glances at the clock on the wall. “You’ll have to come back tomorrow between ten and six.”
“We understand, but we just found out she’s in the ICU.” I lean in, lowering my voice conspiratorially. “We’re her family. We flew in as soon as we heard.”
Nancy’s eyes narrow slightly. She doesn’t believe me. Not even a little bit.
“Ms. Gerber’s emergency contact is listed as her sister in Phoenix. We don’t have a record of any other family members.”
“Cousins,” Atticus says smoothly, stepping up beside me. “Twice removed. You know how it is with extended family—always the last to know.”
He gives Nancy a smile that should be registered as a lethal weapon. The full force of Atticus Sloan’s charm, deployed at point-blank range. I’ve seen that smile melt hardened publicists and industry veterans. Nancy doesn’t stand a chance.
Her eyes widen. A flush creeps up her neck. “My goodness. You’re Atticus Sloan.”
“Guilty as charged.”
“Oh. Well, I suppose…just for a few minutes.” She taps something into the computer before handing us visitor passes. “I hope your cousin recovers soon.”
Mason makes a sound that might be a suppressed snort.
“Thank you so much.” Atticus leans on the counter, his voice dropping to that velvet register that makes my skin prickle. “We really appreciate your understanding.”
Nancy buzzes us through the security door, pointing us toward the elevator. “Third floor. ICU is to the right. Room 307.”
As the doors close behind us, I turn to Atticus with grudging admiration. “That was impressive.”
“What can I say?” He shrugs, but there’s a smugness in the gesture that makes me want to elbow him in the ribs. “The ladies love me.”
“Youandyour Jupiter-sized ego.”
