Page 26 of Mistaken Intention

Can it be he wants me, like I want him?

I guess there’s only one way to find out.

I check the time. It’s four-forty-five.

Lexi said his flight was landing at three, so they’ll be in the car by now, driving down to Newport together. It probably wouldn’t be wise to call. Not when they’re sitting side by side. Has he decided to throw caution to the winds and start something with me, despite his relationship with my sister… if it can be called that? I don’t know. But at least he acknowledged how much harder this is for me than it is for him. Because even if he doesn’t have a relationship with Lexi, I do.

So, no matter how much I want to run into his arms and say ‘yes’ to absolutely anything he asks of me, it’s not that simple.

I have so many questions, and I know I won’t be able to function properly until I get answers. Even so, I can’t call him now. I can’t speak to him, knowing my sister is sitting just inches away from him. Whatever I need to know, I’m going to have to wait.

I get up, pocketing my phone, and pick up my jacket, making for the door.

The elevator doors open immediately, and I step inside, my head spinning, even though I’m trying very hard not to think about Drew’s message. How can I when I don’t fully understand it… and given that, I think it’s best to wait and speak to Drew, rather than punishing myself any more than I already have.

The quickest way to my car is through the Emergency Room and once the elevator doors open, I head straight there, going down the corridor and through the double doors.

I’m immediately hit by the noise, which is standard in this department, although it seems worse than usual today. There’s a baby crying, and I’m reminded of Drew’s call, and all those sounds in the background at the airport.

“Hey, Josie…” I nod at Doctor Walters, who I used to work with, and he smiles back as I make my way toward the nurse’s station, the sounds of the baby’s crying getting louder by the second.

Behind the desk, I spot one of my friends, Orla. She’s a few years older than me, and she’s holding the screaming infant against her chest, looking frazzled.

“What’s going on?” I wander over, making myself heard above the din.

She shakes her auburn head, glancing down at the baby in her arms, in a signal I know only too well, and my heart sinks for the poor little thing. “There’s been an RTA.”

“The mom?”

“She died at the scene. The man with them hasn’t regained consciousness. They’re about to send him for a CT, but it’s not looking good at the moment.”

“And in the meantime, you’ve been left holding the baby?”

“Yeah… literally.” She bounces the infant a little, bobbing up and down, but that just seems to make matters worse, and she rolls her eyes. “I’ve never been any good with babies.”

“I’d offer to help, but…”

“Yeah, I know… you’ve got better things to do.” She smiles and looks down at the baby. “Shall we try turning you around? You’re probably bored with staring over my shoulder at the wall.”

She maneuvers the baby, turning her, and I notice the dolphin on her t-shirt, my heart stopping in my chest, my legs weakening beneath me.

“No.” I hear myself say the word, even though I’m unaware of being able to speak.

“Are you okay?” Orla looks at me, concern etched on her face.

“It can’t be.” I walk around the desk, almost falling over the car seat on the floor, getting closer to Orla as she turns, facing me.

“Josie?”

I look down at the baby in her arms, and I know it’s true. I can see it in her bright blue eyes, and that curl at the ends of her hair. “Oh, God… Maisie.”

I drop my jacket, taking Maisie in my arms, even though she’s a blur, my eyes filled with tears.

“You know her?”

“Yes. Sh—She’s my niece.”

Maisie stops crying, staring up at me, and pulling that same face she did last night, when she furrowed her brow.

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