Page 104 of Love in Fine Print

As she spoke Dr. Benson glanced at me then did a double take. “Are you Ben Whitaker?”

“Yes.” If this guy asked me about retirement or to take a selfie, I was going to lose my shit.

“Wow. I grew up in St. Paul and have been a lifelong Marauders fan.” His brow furrowed. “Wait. Didn’t I read that you married Olivia?”

I didn’t like how familiar this man seemed to be with my wife, judging by the way he said her name.

“Do you know my wife?”

“I do. She was my attorney a few years ago. She’s the best. Wait, so she’s here?”

Dr. Lewis looked between me and Dr. Benson before explaining, “Ms. Bradshaw came into the E.R. with a hundred and four temperature. Her bloodwork showed that she has two viral infections and acute anemia. She just finished a transfusion and is being kept overnight for observation.”

“And I’mnotleaving her,” I reiterated.

“Okay, um, I’ve got this, Dr. Lewis. Thanks.” Dr. Benson turned back to me. “Just give me an hour and I’ll get her in a room and make sure you aren’t bothered.”

A small surge of relief washed over me. This guy knew Olivia, and he would make sure that I was going to see her. “Thank you.”

When I turned back to Trevor, I noticed he had a strange expression on his face. “What?” I asked.

“Nothing.” He shook his head.

“I need to call Uncle Mort and Miss B?—”

“I’m on it.” Trevor took out his phone.

“You have Miss B’s number?”

“Of course, I do.”

As Trevor made the calls, I lowered back down in the chair and googled anemia. I was deep in the rabbit hole of Web MD when I heard my name. I looked up and saw Dr. Benson.

“Ben, she’s in room four-sixteen. She’s sleeping but you can go in with her.”

I stood and turned to Trevor, who grinned. “I’ll be back in the morning. Call me if you need anything.”

I pulled him into a hug, grateful that he’d been there with her today. “Thanks.”

“She’s gonna be fine. She’s a fighter,” he assured me.

I nodded and headed down the hallway to room 416.

When I came around the corner, I saw Olivia lying motionless in the hospital bed. There was an IV in her arm, and she looked as white as the sheets she was lying on. I brushed the hair that was stuck to her cheek behind her ear, leaned down, and pressed my lips to her forehead. Her eyes were closed, and I didn’t want to disrupt her sleep, but I wanted her to know she wasn’t alone.

“I’m here,” I whispered as I lowered down into the chair beside the bed and held her hand. As I sat beside her, some of the adrenaline that I’d felt started to slowly drain from my body.

I’d never been so scared in my life. Because somehow, over the past four months, the woman lying in the bed had become not just my wife, she was my life.

45

OLIVIA

The first thingI was aware of as I pried my heavy lids open was that my mouth felt like I’d been chewing on cotton balls. The second thing was that I was not at home in my bed. The third was that someone was holding my hand.

Slowly, I turned my head to the side and squinted at the pain of it pounding. When I opened my eyes again, I found Ben staring at me as he cupped my hand in his. His usual easy-going expression was gone. In its place was worry and concern.

“Hey,” he said softly.

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