Page 164 of Wicked Grumpy Heart Doc

“In the waiting room.”

Without another word, he hustled through the double doors. His heart skipped a beat when he saw her sitting on the edge of one of the tan vinyl chairs, wringing a tissue in her hands. She somehow looked smaller than he remembered.

There was no makeup around her red-rimmed eyes, as if she’d cried it off, and yet, she was still the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen.

He knew the minute she noticed he was in the waiting room because she jumped to her feet and started toward him.

Without hesitation, he pulled her in for a hug. The minute his arms came around her, she buried her face in his chest as her body wracked with silent sobs. He held her tighter, and she melted into his frame, while his heart melted at her feet.

Her familiar scent, the feel of her in his arms… it all felt like coming home. One second holding her and all the progress he’d made about getting over her flew out the window.

He waited for her to stop shaking, stroking her back until she was still, before asking quietly, “What’s going on, baby?”

She pulled back, wiping her eyes with both hands at the same time.

“My dad—he collapsed during dinner. My mom called an ambulance.” Her face twisted and a small sob escaped her. “She said the EMTs think it was a heart attack.”

He stroked her biceps, careful not to say something he couldn’t guarantee like, “Everything’s going to be all right”. Instead, he asked, “How long ago was this?”

“I don’t know? Maybe thirty minutes? Mom called me when they were loading him into the ambulance. I came straight here from the studio, so I beat them here.”

Her phone dinged, and she pulled it from her pocket to look at the screen.

“They’re here.” She looked so fragile when her tear-filled eyes met his. “Please help him, Aiden.”

“I’ll do everything I can, Sunshine. I promise.” He couldn’t help himself; he kissed her forehead before heading back into the ER. He gave her one last look as he walked through the double doors. His heart broke when her bottom lip trembled, and he hoped like hell he had good news the next time he saw her.

As he hustled down the hall to wait for the EMTs to bring Dakota’s dad inside, he reached in his pocket for his phone and fired off a text to Jean.

Aiden: I am so sorry; we’re going to have to reschedule dinner. I’m stuck at the hospital. I’ll call you when I have a free minute.

His phone buzzed immediately with a reply, but they were wheeling in Mr. Douglas, so he didn’t have time to see what it said.

****

Dakota

It was like déjà vu, watching Aiden walk through the double doors. The scene had played in her head more than a dozen times—right down to the black suit and red tie he was wearing and the grim expression on his face.

This is what her vision had been about. Her father having a heart attack. Not Aiden breaking her heart.

How could I have been such a fool?

She felt like she was going to vomit.

Dakota collapsed onto the beige cracked-vinyl chair and wrapped her arms around her middle as she rocked herself. Her father had to pull through. The idea of losing both men she loved was more than she could bear.

Her mother, Christine, was pale when she came into the waiting room a short time later, appearing dazed.

Dakota jumped to her feet. “How is he?”

“They’re running more tests, but it was definitely a heart attack.”

“Is he awake?”

She nodded. “The EMTs had to use the defibrillator in the ambulance. Twice.”

Dakota hugged the older woman around her shoulders. “Oh, Mom! He’s going to be okay. Aiden is the best cardiologist there is.”

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