Page 21
Chapter Twenty
Nathan
It’s ten in the morning on Sunday before the sun rises again in my world.
I’m still by the window, but instead of staring blankly at nothing, I’m leaning against the sill, observing the group which has only grown larger since everyone has heard that Tess is likely going to be out of intensive care today if all goes well.
Our small waiting room is overrun with flowers, cards, and get-well-soon balloons.
Everyone is having another round of sandwiches and coffee. There’s been so much food consumed here that it’s obvious people are comfort-eating. I, on the other hand, can’t eat. I’m only drinking water. Lots of it.
Isabel is munching on her fourth chocolate bar this morning.
Between worrying for Tess and trying, and failing, to mask the thermonuclear chemistry between her and Max, whose frequent visits may have more to do with gawking at her than actually giving me updates, she keeps nibbling on snacks to keep her mind occupied.
Even Jackson has picked up on the tense energy between Isabel and Max, but one warning glare from me and he got the message to keep his mouth shut.
I don’t understand how Chris and Milly are still oblivious, though.
The entire LA Guardian Angels team and a few from the Boston team are here. Walter Heche, Tessa’s director, flew in from Boston this morning, as well Zara, her friend from work.
Jackson has just announced that he would be sending home the crowd of employees and well-wishers from the Fount, which, of course, leads to an argument with Gary.
“I don’t see how that’s right. People love Tess and have a right to support their boss,” Gary protests.
Jackson snorts. “Yes, and I suppose they also get to watch firsthand as Dr. King loses his marbles over a girl after more than a decade of waiting for it to happen, and then snag a selfie with Chris Dean while they’re at it?”
“Hell no,” he continues, “they can drop the flowers off at the floor’s reception desk, and Dr. King will personally extend his thanks to them once Tess is better. Won’t you, Doc?”
“‘Lose my marbles,’ did you say?” I suppose by now, the news that I’m in love with Tess has made its rounds at the Fount, considering I was shouting that fact at Max two days ago, and as if Jackson’s words weren’t proof enough, almost half of the cards are actually addressed to me, not Tess. But I'm sure I’ve pretty much kept it together since then.
“It’s true, Dr. King. Tess got hurt, and you stopped eating and sleeping, yet you’re dressed to the nines, freshening up every ten seconds like a prom date waiting for his girl to come down the stairs.”
I look down at my simple, gray, form-hugging sweater and black pants, wondering how exactly I’m dressed to the nines. “What’s wrong with my outfit?”
As if on cue, a young, smartly-dressed nurse comes into the room. “Ms. Blackwell’s group?”
“Yeah.” I straighten from the window to address her.
“Tessa is awake.”
The noise is deafening. There’s screaming, shouting, hooting, and Isabel actually bursts into tears. I simply release a pent-up breath and wait for the nurse to say more.
“She wants her boyfriend.”
I blink in shock, but the room again erupts into even louder hoots, and then, I feel Jackson and Gary patting my back.
I’m unable to speak for a few seconds. I never, ever blush. But this gang of friends here are making me feel like a boy with his first crush.
The nurse looks at me. “Are you Nathan?”
“He is, he is!” they yell simultaneously.
Fuck. Joy washes over me as it becomes undoubtedly clear that I’m the one Tess wants. Along with it also comes a pang of worry.
If Tessa thinks I’m her boyfriend, does that mean she’s suffered some form of amnesia? Brain damage? Or did she think that calling me her boyfriend would make it more likely for me to be allowed to see her?
I follow the nurse into the elevator and down the corridor until we get to Tess’s room.
With every step I take closer to her, I’m determined not to walk away without Tess in my life.