Page 89 of Time Stops With You

Nardi had been keeping her eyes closed, but she pops one open to stare at me. “Do you know how to drive?”

“Of course I do.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“What makes you think I can’t drive?” I ask.

“You come to work in a ride-share vehicle every day.”

“You’ve been watching me?”

Nardi’s eyes widen a smidge and she turns her face away. “Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous.”

It pleases me to think that Nardi notices my coming and going. Maybe she’d been thinking about me as much as I’d been thinking about her.

Nardi closes her eyes and I decide not to press the matter since she’s in a lot of pain. Instead, I hand Josiah my phone.

“This car doesn’t have a GPS. Get directions to the closest hospital.”

“Done.” Josiah completes the task in the blink of an eye and hands the phone back. I set it in the cup holder compartment and listen for the directions.

“Take the next left to General Healthcare Hospital.”

My fingers stiffen on the steering wheel.

General Healthcare Hospital.

It’s the place where I first learned I had cancer.

Ten

NARDI

Ronan Cullen hovers around the nurse as she fixes my IV. The nurse gives him a disgruntled look that he either doesn’t notice or intentionally ignores.

“Careful around her wrist,” Cullen instructs the woman whose grey hair and wrinkles tells me she’s been in this profession since before he was born.

The nurse is a good sport about it and answers patiently. “Don’t worry, sir. I’m being very gentle.”

I lick my lips and realize they’re chapped. I haven’t had a drop of water since before the lunch rush. It’s been hours and I’m desperately thirsty.

My eyes flit around the giant hospital room until they land on my brother. “Josiah, can you run down to the car and get my water bottle?”

“No need. Each room in the private ward has a mini-fridge,” Cullen says, pointing to the fancy bar set up under the flat screen TV.

I glare at him for making such a ridiculous suggestion. “They’ll charge an arm and a leg just for opening that fridge and letting the cold air out.”

“The last thing you should be worrying about right now is money,” Cullen snaps back. “Josiah, get the water from the fridge.”

My brother rises from the luxurious sofa to fetch the item.

I bark, “Josiah, stay right there. Cullen, don’t order my brother around.”

“I don’t mind, Nardi,” Josiah says.

Cullen stomps to the mini-fridge and opens the door. “If you have a problem with me, we can hash it out when you’re better. For right now, both JosiahandI are here to make sure you’re comfortable and taken care of. Don’t pick a fight unless you want me to change my mind and have you admitted overnight.”

He uncaps the water bottle and brings it to my lips.

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