Page 33 of One Last Wish

“Why did you give him your number?”

“We have a common concern.” That must have beenme. “How was your Thanksgiving withDarce,anyway?” Evelyn was giving me herhave you fucked him yetlook. “Theo told me that you and Darce spent all day together today at work getting the space ready for the midnight release party.”

“Nothing happened!”

“Uh huh. All I want to know is have youfinallyfucked in your bedroom?”

“Evelyn, I’m being serious! Darce, well, he...has his ownissues.”

“Is his penis too big?” I gave her a look. She was impossible sometimes. “I can’t see how a manthathot could haveanyissues.”

“I know you’d love to think that Darce and I got it on, but honestly, he doesn’t see me that way. We are justfriends.”

Evelyn watched my face as I slumped on the seat next to her. “And you’re happy with that? Having afriend?” Holy shit! I wasn’t even paying attention to what I was saying.A friend?Was that what Darce was? If that was true, why wasn’t I freaking out? A friend meant a connection, a fondness to someone.

“I...I...think so,” I gasped, unsure of my own words.

“Alora, this is incredible. If you see Darce as afriend, maybe you’ll realise other people care.”

“I...” My breathing became erratic. I couldn't catch my breath. Apparently, I’d spoken too soon. I knew this feeling. It was difficult not to remember panic attacks when I’d been having them my whole life. I held my chest as it began to tighten. The walls began to close around me, clamping down any feeling of connection. Feelings would weaken me, break me. That couldn’t happen.

“Shit! Alora! Are you okay?”

“Panic...attack,” I managed to force out before darkness took over and I passed out.

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THE BEEPING OF THEheart monitor told me that I was in the hospital when I started to regain consciousness. It took a while for my eyes to become accustomed to the light.

“Wait! She’s waking up!” Evelyn’s voice was panicked.

“Alora?” I internally groaned at hearing Theo’s voice, too. Why was he here? Evelyn must have called him when I’d blacked out. “Thank God! You had us scared for a while.”

“Give her some space, Theo,” Evelyn scolded as I finally focused on her face. “Hey. How are you feeling? You scared the shit out of me.”

“How long was I out for?” I forced out, fighting with all the wires on my chest and hands.

“A few hours. They’re keeping you overnight for observation. You need to keep those wiresattached. Relax, Alora. You’re okay.”

“I don’t want to stay overnight,” I complained. Hospitals weren’t something I enjoyed. That clinical smell, the food, the general boredom of being stuck in a hospital bed.

“Darce has gone to get you some overnight things, don’t worry.”Darce?He’d been here? How? “I gave him my keys to get into the apartment.”

“I offered first,” Theo chimed in. “But Evelyn wouldn’t let me have the keys.”

“Yeah, because you’d be nosing around her bedroom.” Evelyn pointed out, making me laugh. “Visiting hours are almost up, but they know Darce is coming with your things. Call me when they release you tomorrow and I’ll meet you outside. Theo has already cleared it with Malcom for you to have a few days off to recover.”

“No, I...”

“It’s decided, Alora.” Evelyn interrupted me. “Youcompletelyblacked out. Something might be seriously wrong.” Yeah, my mind was fucked, but I couldn’t tell her that. “Let the doctors check you over. You might get some answers.”

“Listen to her, Alora,” Theo begged. “We need you healthy.”

“I’m tired,” I sighed, closing my eyes for a moment. At times like these, it was hard being emotionless. They were both worried for me, but I couldn’t make my mind care.

“Call me tomorrow, I mean it. I don’t want you travelling back from the hospital alone.” Giving Evelyn a nod, I watched them both leave.

I had a room to myself, which was nice. I took a moment to survey my surroundings. There was a small, ugly green sofa to the right of me. The room was small, but at least it had a large, double window. It was pitch black outside. It made me wonder what time it was.

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