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Not even dots this time.

I’d hoped—selfishly—that he would have said something about looking forward to seeing me. Why would I think that? He was here to see his mom, the family that means so much to him. When we talked last night, I’d heard the hesitation through the fear in his voice. He hadn’t wanted to talk to me, but he’d reached out anyway.

The back and forth of could we, should we had to end.

He’d reached out to a friend. With Detroit on the road, of course I’d be someone he’d call. Plus I liked Greta, so that made it all the easier.

I reasoned myself around and around. It didn’t help.

Kyle and I were done.

I knew it when he left that note.

I’d become more sure of it when neither of us even said “hello,” like he’d done when I’d ghosted him. I should’ve taken the chance…

I sighed and rubbed at my tired eyes.

Maybe we’d salvage a friendship, though it’d be difficult because I knew how good it felt to love him. The warmth in my chest. The goose bumps at the slightest touch. The desire to be near him.

Just the thought quickened my pulse. He’d be standing in front of me in less than an hour.

I already wanted to wrap him in my arms and comfort him.

Selfishly, that same hug would give me some of his energy, which always managed to calm me. It’d be ideal to soak up some of that before the board meeting.

“Mr. Murray?” Nurse Montgomery startled me. I’d zoned out more than I thought I had.

“Yes? Is everything okay?”

“Yes. We’ve got Mrs. Pressgrove settled. She’s resting, vital signs are good, and she’s been awake a few times, and they removed the ventilator before they brought her down. You can come back and see her if you’d like.”

Wow. Time flew. I looked at my watch—sure enough it’d been nearly thirty minutes since I’d talked to her.

Should I do that? She barely knew me. On the other hand, it might help her to know that someone was here.

“Sure. Then I can give a first-hand report back.”

“Follow me.”

I closed my laptop and left it and my backpack behind. I doubted the few people here were going to take my things from a waiting room. I did pick up my phone just in case Kyle reached out.

Going through the double doors that Nurse Montgomery had to swipe to open, it hit me that I’d not spent time in hospitals. I’d never had to be in one, and so far, my parents had lived healthy lives too. The beeps from so many machines from the individual patient bays were disconcerting. On the other hand, I took comfort from the central area where the nurses worked so they could see all the patients and also see if anyone was at the front needing assistance. My designer brain couldn’t help but be impressed at how much thought went into the function.

In bed, covered by a blanket, Greta looked small and fragile—far from the vibrant woman I’d met. Her face showed signs of the airbag impact with some bruises.

“I can let you have five minutes.” She left me before I could even say thank you.

I stood at the foot of the bed, deciding if I should move closer.

Finally, I moved next to her. I debated touching her, maybe on her shoulder since I couldn’t see her hands.

That seemed too familiar.

Instead, I just spoke quietly. “Hi, Greta. It’s Austin. Kyle introduced us.” That sounded ridiculous. “He’ll be here soon.”

She didn’t react, but hopefully she heard.

My phone vibrated. Did Kyle somehow know I was back here?