Page 25 of Not Like Christmas At All
“You know damn well that if I’d gone for Gen and it didn’t work out, things would always be weird between me and Zee. We could never hang as a friend group like we do now. You’re telling me that wouldn’t strain your relationship?”
Another silence sat heavy between us, and I let him process what I’d said.
Part of the reason why I haven’t pursued her is to protect his relationship, in some capacity. In hindsight, as we talk this out, I realize I never should have. He didn’t ask me to, and he wouldn’t have.
I did this to myself.
“I mean, when you put it that way, yeah, I guess, but we’re alsoadults. If you have a genuine interest in Genesis, your concern doesn’t seem like enough of a reason to not go for her. I mean, look at how Zee and I got together. She was your date for Christmas last year.”
“Myfakedate,” I reminded him, letting out a low laugh.
“Still, you brought her around, and I stole her from you.”
“Yeah, you kind of did, didn’t you?” Glancing at my watch again, I wonder if Doctor Kelley has finished with Gen yet. I’m anxious to go back in there. Speaking to her is far more important than this conversation.
“Anyway, what happened with Genesis?”
“I threw all caution to the wind.” Pushing my hand through my hair, I stop walking, looking around the quiet hallway. “It’s like something snapped inside of me when I watched her fall.”
Miller lets out a low, taunting whistle. “Then go get your girl, Lincoln. I thought you said she was awake.”
“She is.” Like a magnet, my gaze drifts down the hallway toward her room. The door’s still closed. “She’s with her doctor now, but they should be finishing up.”
“What the hell are you still doing on the phone with me?” The smile on his face was evident in his tone. It’s contagious, and with a nod of my head he can’t see, I move in her direction.
“We’ll talk later, Miller.”
Ending the call, I practically sprint, my steps quickening as I head for Gen. Reaching for the doorknob, I’m surprised when it opens from inside, and I’m suddenly face to face with Doctor Kelley.
“Oh, Doctor Stokes, there you are.” She steps further into the hall, closing the door behind her.
“How is she?” I peer over Doctor Kelley’s shoulder through the small window on the door, but the light in the room is dim, making it difficult to see.
“She’s doing as expected. Headache and fatigue, with some light sensitivity. I’d discharge her tonight, but in my opinion, better safe than sorry.”
“I completely agree.” Nodding, I try to look around her again. I’m anxious—dare I say desperate to get in there.
My phone buzzes against my leg, the vibration jarring, and it pulls me back to reality.
“Lincoln, are you okay?” Doctor Kelley’s voice muddles the haze in my mind, but her words don’t process enough for me to answer her.
My stomach tightens when I see the number I called earlier flash across my screen. Gen’s mom.
“So sorry, Doctor, I need to take this.” Smashing my thumb against the accept button, I press the device against my ear. “Hello?”
“Hi, Doctor Stokes?”
“Mrs. Nikolaou, hi.”
“Hi, dear. I hope I’m not bothering you, but Peter and I were getting ready to head down to the hospital. Is now a good time?” Her voice trembles, the worry clutching her tightly.
“I’m sure she’d love that, Mrs. Nikolaou. Her doctor just left the room and gave me an update.” I regurgitate everything Doctor Kelley just told me, giving her factual information in my standard monotone voice I reserve for this exact scenario. As I’m relaying everything though, I glance out the window across from me, seeing the snowstorm. I’ve never seen anything like it before, not here in the city at least. “Mrs. Nikolaou, can I order you a car so you’re not driving in this weather?”
“You’re so kind, but we’ll make do. It’s about time we put the truck to good use. We’ll be there in about thirty minutes or so.”
With a promise to update them if anything changes, I slip my phone back in my pocket. Pausing outside of her door, I blow out a shaky breath. Miller told me to go get my girl, but what if she’s not interested in beingmine?
The thought forms a lump in my throat as my fingers graze the handle of the door.
