Page 44 of Distant Shores (Stapled Magnolias #2)

ADAIR

“ O h, Nurse,” a masculine, sing-song voice called through the exam room doorway. “I’m ready for my sponge bath.”

Lordy.

I closed my eyes and fought back a laugh. “Shouldn’t I be the one who?—”

I shut my mouth firmly. I’d almost fallen for his trap.

Cracking open an eye, I sighed in relief when Cole sauntered into the room wearing normal clothes. In just those few seconds, my mind had gone places. Places it did not need to be.

“You’re thinking of Halloween three years ago, aren’t you?” Cole asked as he glanced around the small room. “Nurse Dubois was a revelation never to be topped. However—” He gave me a quick hug and a pat on the back. “—the polyester skirt chafed like a motherfucker.”

I snorted at my best friend, but I was happy he was here. Even more than I anticipated I would be, especially since I wasn’t expecting him to make it here until later. He must’ve gotten up crazy early to make it here by now, or had just… never gone to sleep.

Save for the nurses, I’d been alone since Jillie picked me up from Camellia Lane before the sun could even consider rising this morning—bless her—and brought me to this outpatient surgery center about half an hour from Live Oak.

It felt like I was a million miles away from Camellia Lane after she left.

But she’d made me reassure her at least five times that someone would be here for me soon before she’d driven off, which had warmed my heart considerably.

Delly was at work by now, only because I’d bullied her into not taking off more than a couple hours early, reasoning that there was nothing she could do but wait. Pops couldn’t really be here without Jillie, and I didn’t want him to feel guilty about that fact.

And Ireland was…. I glanced at the clock on the wall, thinking through her routine. She was probably boarding over to the Locc right now to have breakfast with Beck.

I hoped she got the notes I left her.

The call that they could do the surgery this morning— early this morning—had been unexpected.

I’d not really considered the possibility of it being today, since I knew how slow things in this world moved.

But then they’d called, and I had to square things away with my supervisor, apologizing profusely, before spending most of my evening last night waiting at an imaging center to get fresh scans.

The last-minute scramble for all of this had left no time to talk to Ireland or Pops again, which was maybe for the best.

Kissing my gorgeous roommate was one thing, but burdening her with this? That was another.

Hell, if I could’ve not told Delly, I would have .

“You almost look broody,” Cole said through a yawn. “Whatcha thinking so hard about?”

“Not you in a nurse costume, thankfully.”

“That blush on your cheeks says otherwise, babe.” He smirked, tucking his hair behind his ears. “Such a little liar.”

A real nurse came into the room then, wearing very normal scrubs. Definitely not the all-white skirt, low-cut button up, and cap combo that I knew Cole had hanging in his closet back in the apartment in Georgia. He wouldn’t have brought that with him… right?

“Good morning, Mr. Jacks. I’m here to place your IV and take your vitals before we take you back.”

I eyed Cole suspiciously before turning my attention to the nurse, who had begun throwing rapid-fire questions at me.

Once she’d left, I glanced over at Cole, realizing he hadn’t interjected once with his colorful commentary. It made sense when I saw his head hanging backward, his mouth open as he snored softly.

Dude could sleep anywhere.

And now that he was here, I relaxed easier until the anesthesiologist came in a while later and discussed particulars with me. Cole woke up halfway through this discussion but just listened intently.

Then came the surgeon, a young guy with a lot of pep in his step for so early on a Friday morning.

He explained he’d been waiting on the last of my blood test results, and everything looked good.

He also explained that because this was the second time going in, there was probably already some scar tissue and mild inflammation from the initial injury and surgery, so he couldn’t give me an exact estimate on how long the procedure would take or how much pain I might be in .

“I’d like minimal painkillers,” I told him once he finished his spiel.

Cole frowned at me but didn’t say anything. He knew all about my parents and their many vices.

“Okay,” the doctor agreed. “I’m always pro that route.” He glanced down at his tablet. “You have no known allergies?”

I nodded in confirmation, but then shook my head, confusing myself. “No allergies,” I said, just to be safe.

He smiled cheerily, and something about his whole vibe reminded me of what I’d told Dr. Patel all those weeks ago.

The power of positive thinking does me dirty sometimes.

Right before they took me back, I fired off a quick text to Delly.

Going back soon. Looking forward to getting my bionic foot. Talk to you soon. Text Cole if you need anything. Love you lots.

Then I shut it off and tossed it to Cole. “Don’t forget to text Delly.”

He caught it with a grin. “Permission to annoy Apple Jacks? Say less.”

I grinned at that. If work wasn’t already a great distraction for Delly, Cole would be.

The next thing I knew, I was being wheeled back, and before I could even let the slight seed of guilt over not finding time to talk to Ireland or even text her, I was counting back from ten.

I only made it to seven before I was gone.