I rise from the stool. My hand moves to the curtain cord. I tug it across the railing, closing it around Jonathan before I step out to greet Nil and Stan with a nod of acknowledgement.
Stan watches me draw the curtain. “Right, yep, hide the gruesome stuff.”
Nil regards him with a raised brow. “You didn’t see shit.”
“Well, I meant Jon’s face,” Stan says. “That ugly mug he’s got.”
Nil lets out a sigh. His brow faintly twitches. I observe the exchange with the same attention I’d use on a neural scan that interests me.
“How did you hear about Jonathan?” I ask.
Stan smirks. “We heard through thegrapevine.” He walks up to me and lowers his voice. “And people talk loud and lots when they’re scared, Em.”
I consider his words, finding them personally unrelatable. When I check on Nil, he’s frowning slightly, but his gaze is on mine.
“Doc, don’t look at Nil, expecting a normal reaction, or your stats will get skewed,” Stan supplies. “Nil’s been through hell. I don’t think this hottie gets scared.”
Nil tilts his head at Stan. “I get scared.”
Stan looks amused. “Oh, is that so? Even a sexy monk like you gets scared, huh?”
Nil frowns. “Not a monk.”
Stan’s grin widens. “Oh, I know. Believe me, babe. Iabsolutelyknow.”
I watch them for a moment as a blush spreads slowly across my face. The warmth is welcome. So are they. They’re a much-needed distraction to what I’ve been feeling lately.
“Hey, Em.” Stan studies my posture. “Anyone ever told ya you’re holding your shoulders like they’re trying to strangle you?”
Nil’s blue eyes return to mine. “You look tired, Em.”
I try to straighten myself. “I’m fine.”
“Lies! Lies detected.” Stan taps his temple. “This is my empath radar. Very advanced equipment.”
Nil crosses his arms. “He means he’s being nosy, Em.”
“That too,” Stan says. “But my point stands, doc. You could use some relief. A nap. A meal. A hug. A tranquilizer dart.”
Huffing through my nose, I catch myself nearly smiling. “I appreciate your concern, but I’m managing.”
Stan leans one hip against a counter. “You’re allowed tonotmanage, y’know. Genius doctor or not, we’re all in the same spooky ship right now.”
Nil nods. “We came to check on you, Em. Not just Jon.”
My arm relaxes against my tablet.
Behind us, there’s the faint rustle of sheets and a heavy sigh. That must mean that Jonathan is waking.
Stan’s eyes widen, as well as his grin. “Oh, shit. Tongue Guy’s up.”
Nil sighs once more. “Don’t call him that.”
“Why? It’s catchy.” Stan reaches for the curtain.
“Stan,” I warn.
He ignores me and drags the curtain open in one dramatic sweep.
