Page 7 of From the Moment We Met

She shrugged, her eyes glassy. “I have to believe Janie will get through this.”

Jacob nodded his agreement, and they fell silent. He watched two young women approaching his family and he fixed his piercing blue glare on them, but they were determined in their mission.

You have got to be joking. Have people no heart? I’m in a hospital waiting room!

The smaller of the two approached first, whispering, “You’re Jacob Edmonton, aren’t you? The actor? It’s amazing to meet you!”

“Thank you. My family has a personal emergency, so it’s not a good time.” Although his words were calm, his tone held an implicit warning.

Unfortunately, that warning sailed right over the woman as she pulled out her phone. “Can I take a picture, please? My friends will be so excited!”

Sighing in resignation, Jacob posed for the picture, his expression stern. As the young women departed, he saw Audrey standing in the doorway, shaking her head in disgust. “You’re incorrigible. You can’t think of anyone else for one minute, can you?” Her words fell like ice shards, shattering as they hit Jacob's armor.

Jacob grabbed her arm and pulled her close, his voice low but firm. “Let’s not do this here, shall we?”

“Me? I’m not the one turning it into a personal autograph signing, comforting my precious ego while Janie lays on an operating slab. You’ll never change.”

“You know nothing about me, Audrey. You only know what you choose to believe but I love my sister, and I have as much of a right to be here as you do, so back off.” He growled the warning, and Audrey scoffed with derision as she sank into the chair farthest from Jacob.

“Will you two stop? Can’t you see how you’re upsetting your Mother?” Jacob's father thundered in their direction. “This is not the time nor the place, so leave it.”

Jacob’s exhalation was slow and deliberate as he willed himself to calm down. “You’re right, I’m sorry Mum, and I’m sorry Audrey.” Audrey’s steely countenance didn’t shift. Jacob was about to offer a sarcastic retort when a woman in gray scrubs strode toward them.

He stood, hopeful she came with news of Janie’s condition, but she giggled and requested an autograph. Audrey shook her head in disbelief and the intrusion brought on another rush of tears for Jacob’s mother.

He almost let his frustration pour into the waiting room when he heard a laugh; the low, seductive chuckle reverberated through his body. His head swung up, searching for the owner of that sexy sound.

She was tiny, encased in green scrubs with dark-rimmed glasses and a low ponytail; the complete opposite of his usual type. The woman was conversing with other employees, and he smiled in spite of himself when her laughter carried. God, he loved her laugh. It was so genuine.

Then she smiled, and Jacob’s breath caught. The woman was stunning and headed in his direction. He tore his gaze away, hoping she wasn’t another fan looking for a photo opportunity.

“Mr. Edmonton?” The girl in gray scrubs asked, holding out a piece of paper. “Your autograph, please?”

Jacob fought to maintain control, looking up to see a look of horror crossing the petite brunette’s face as she quickened her pace across the waiting room.

“Mr. Edmonton?” The autograph seeker repeated, and Jacob only prayed he could hold his temper and survive this madness until Janie made it out of the operating suite.

∞∞∞

Lilly

Lilly’s eyes widened in disbelief when she spotted a fellow nurse requesting Jacob Edmonton’s autograph.

She rushed over, placing her hand on the nurse’s arm. “Not the time, not the place, do we understand?”

Her words were low enough that only the nurse heard her, but her body language made it clear she was not joking about the matter. Mumbling an apology, the nurse hurried off, and Lilly took a deep breath before facing the family.

“My name is Lilly, I’m the nurse who will be taking care of Janie.” Her eyes moved to each family member, holding Jacob's gaze the longest. His blue eyes were more piercing in real life than the photo Sabina showed her earlier. The picture that showcased his fantastic abs and chest…shit. Focus, Lilly. Pull it together.

Lilly walked past Jacob and squatted in front of Audrey. “Are you Audrey?”

When the young woman nodded, Lilly took her hands and held them for a moment, giving them a gentle squeeze. She did the same to the parents before turning and facing Jacob.

Gazing up at his muscular frame, Lilly extended her hand. “Mr. Edmonton, I’d like to take your family somewhere more private, if that’s all right with you. I apologize for the behavior of some of our staff. There’s no excuse for it given the situation, and I want to ensure it doesn’t happen again. There’s a private room down the hall where you won’t be bothered.” Lilly's eyes moved to her hand, still enveloped in his. She pulled back in haste.

Jacob nodded, offering her a gracious smile. “That would be wonderful, thank you.”

Lilly escorted the family down the hall. “It’s nothing fancy, but it’s away from prying eyes.”

---