Page 52 of When You Blush

“We’ll do that,” he says.

“I have to go get ready for work.” My girl rubs her hand down her face and presses her fingertips into her eyes. “I’ll pop in throughout the day. Did they say when he gets to go home?”

“Probably later this afternoon,” Easton replies, but I turn to Harper and brush her hair over her shoulder.

“Don’t go in today,” I tell her. “Stay with your family. You’ll feel better.”

“I can’t.” She blows out a breath. “There are no other charge nurses to pick up my shift today. But I can pop in and out. I’ll be just one floor up.”

Easton nods and pulls her in for another hug.

“It’s going to be okay, shortcake.”

“I’m so sorry,” she says, and I hear the tears in her voice.

Christ, she’s breaking my heart.

“Not your fault,” Easton says. “And no matter what Xander says, it’s not your responsibility to keep your phone on and be at our beck and call.”

Harper side-eyes me. That’s exactly whatIsaid.

“There are five of us,” he reminds her. “We all help. Don’t forget that. I’ll text you if anything changes.”

“I’ll clock into work, get a read on how things are today, and then I’ll check in on you guys,” she promises him.

“Okay.”

Easton nods at me, and I take Harper’s hand to lead her down the hallway. When we come around the corner, we almost run right into Xander, who’s still frowning.

“I’ll be back in a bit to check in,” Harper tells him.

“Yeah. Great.”

“Whoa.” I shake my head and narrow my eyes at the other man. “Sheisn’t the reason that he’s in that bed. This isn’t Harper’s fault, and you won’t punish her for it. She’s scared, too.”

Xander sighs and sets his hands on his hips as he looks at his sister with a frown.

“You scared the piss out of me.”

“I’m sorry.” She pats him on the arm. “I’m fine. Greg’s going to be fine.”

He nods. “I love you, you know.”

“Yeah, yeah, love, blah, blah.” She grins at him, and he tugs on her hair. “I’ll see you later.”

He nods, but shoulder checks me as he walks past. I can’t help but chuckle as we walk out to my car.

“Nowthat,” she says after I start the vehicle and pull out of the parking lot to take her home, “is a colossal dumpster fire. In case you were wondering. For future reference.”

“He’s going to be okay,” I tell her. “His numbers were great. He just needs to get regulated with diet and medication.”

“I thought we were there,” she says. “Looks like we still have some work to do.”

“It’s not easy. It’s a lot to learn, and I have to tell you, he’s doing better than a lot of my patients who don’t want to listen or make lifestyle changes. At least he’s trying.”

She nods and nibbles on her lower lip as she reaches for my hand and weaves herfingers with mine.

“Thanks for staying with me.”