Page 47 of Tempting All The Way

Within seconds, the triage phone rings. The nurse answers it, and her face pales as she nods and repeats a few “yes, sirs” before looking up at me. “You can head in, Mr Christianson. She’s in room seventeen, on the left.”

I would thank her. But she’s kept me out here, away from Shardonnay, for much longer than was necessary. I jog down to room seventeen and find Shardonnay sitting up in a hospital bed. She still looks pale, and she’s hooked up to an IV.

“Fuck, I’m so sorry, babe. I got here as soon as I heard.” I rush to her bedside. “Are you okay? What happened? Why isn’t there a doctor in here?” I ask, frantically searching the room as if one will just appear from the air.

“Xavier, I’m fine. Calm down,” she says.

Calm down?She can’t be serious. “I’ll calm down when I know what the fuck is going on and why you’re currently in a hospital bed,” I growl.

“I fainted. Nathan overreacted and made me come here.” She rolls her eyes.

“Shardonnay, you’re hooked up to an IV. You’re not fine. What’s in it anyway?”

“It’s just fluids. The doctor said I was dehydrated or something. Honestly, I feel heaps better now and I just want to go home.”

“I should have been there.” I sit on the edge of the bed.

“You can’t be around me 24/7. That’s ridiculous.” She entwines her fingers with mine.

“Who called you?” she asks.

“Nathan… and Alistair.”

“Right, I hope you weren’t too attached to them because I’m going to kill them. I told them not to call you, not to disturb you,” she huffs.

“I’m pretty attached, so you can’t kill them. And why the fuck wouldn’t you call me? We’ve had this conversation before, Shardonnay. If you’re in any kind of trouble, I want to be the first person you call.”

“You were working, Xavier, I’m not going to interrupt your court hearing.”

“You are more important than a court hearing. You are more important to me than any meeting or client. Don’t ever think otherwise.”

Her eyes water up. “I’m sorry. But I really am fine.”

Leaning down, I kiss the top of her head. “I’m going to get a doctor in here. I want to know what’s going on and when I can take you home.”

Before I can pull out my phone, Dr Greggory walks into the room. “Xavier, I see you found your wife.” He smiles.

“I did. Thank you, Doc.” I stand and shake his hand. “Why isn’t there anyone in here? A doctor? Nurse? I want to know what’s going on. Why’d she faint?” I ask.

“Okay, let me have a look.” He picks up the folder that’s at the end of the hospital bed.

“How are you feeling… Miss Mitchell?” he questions, giving me a knowing look.

“I’m fine,” Shardonnay responds.

“She’s not fine. She’s in a fucking hospital bed.”

“Xavier, lower your voice or I will have to have you removed.” Dr Greggory glares at me before adding, “Looks like she was dehydrated. Nothing else has shown up in any of the blood tests. She needs rest and plenty of fluids.” He turns to Shardonnay. “If you’re up for it, you’ll be able to go home within the hour, Miss Mitchell.”

“I’m up for it.”

“Wait… that’s it? Should I have a doctor come to the apartment? A nurse? What if she faints again?” I ask with a sudden sense of dread.

“She will be okay, but you’re at risk of an early heart attack if you don’t calm down,” Dr Greggory cautions. “Your parents are in the waiting room. I called your father because I thought he’d want to know that his daughter-in-law was in the ER.”

“Shit,” I curse under my breath. I should have known he’d call my father. The last thing I want to deal with right now is my parents.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Mitchell. I do wish it were under better circumstances.” Doc leaves the room.

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