Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
I exhale, fighting to regain control, not wanting to add more angst to this woman’s likely stressful shift ahead.
“I’m fine, yes, sorry.” I force a smile. “We were just…” I glance Blue’s way, but his soulful stare offers no assistance, only further consternation. I turn back to Wella, adding, “Debating.”
She arches a brow as she leans against the doorframe, her tablet held to her chest. “Oh. Okay. Well, maybe save that for another day, one when you haven’t already been through a traumatic experience. You and the baby need rest now.” Her tone cools as her focus slides to Blue. “I’m sure you agree, sir.”
“Completely,” Blue says, turning to me as he asks in a softer voice, “Do you want me to go, Bea? I’ll leave if that’s what you think is—”
“Don’t you dare,” I cut in hotly before adding in a more controlled voice, “I would rather you stay until we finish our discussion, but I can be calm. I know it’s best for the baby.”
Wella continues to look dubious, but nods. “All right. I’ll be back to check your vitals in about an hour, okay? If you’re still holding steady, we’ll get you discharged.” She starts to go, only to turn back with a raised hand, “Sorry, I almost forgot. I have an update on your friend, Ms. Cummings.”
The anger drains out of me, replaced by hope so sharp it makes my stomach cramp. “Yes. Clover Cummings. Is she okay? I’ve been so worried.”
Wella glances down, swiping on her tablet. “Yes, things are looking good. The head nurse on the procedure said she’s out of surgery and stable. Dr. Romanescu set her leg and her arm. Hip turned out not to be a fracture, so she won’t have to be immobilized and should be discharged in a day or two. Dr. Singh, one of NOLA’s best in plastics, is taking care of her cheek now.” She looks up with a crooked grin. “I guess one of you has connections, huh?”
I nod, silently thanking Charlotte for being the best of the best. “Yes, my future sister-in-law. She called in a favor.”
Wella smiles. “Good for her. Dr. Singh will take great care of your friend. She does beautiful work. Clover’s going to need rest and help getting around for a while, but chances are, she’ll heal up just fine.”
Relief floods through me, making my voice tremble as I breathe, “Thank God. I’m so glad. I was afraid…” I shake my head, not wanting to speak the scary things aloud, just in case. “I’m just so glad she’s going to be okay. Can I see her? When Dr. Singh’s done?”
“She’ll still be groggy from surgery and will need to be monitored before she can receive guests. But you should be able to visit later this evening. Or, at the very latest, tomorrow morning.” Her forehead furrows as she glances over her shoulder before continuing, “But Nurse Clapton said she was already stressing about work and bills, even fresh out of sedation. So, if there’s anything you can do to put her mind at ease about that, that would be great. Or just…not mention that stuff for a while, maybe. She needs peace now, too.”
My heart clenches. Of course, Clover’s worried about money.
She lives paycheck to paycheck, cobbling together a living from waitressing at the diner, a bartending shift on Saturdays, and whatever gigs she can book as a fill-in bass player. A few weeks trapped in bed could destroy her financially, and it’s doubtful she’ll still be in line for that assistant manager job she was so excited about after this….
I’ll offer to pay for everything, that’s not up for debate, but I don’t know if she’ll let me. She’s determined to make it on her own, even when it hurts.
This time it definitely will hurt.
Before I can formulate a plan to trick her into letting me help her get back on her feet, Blue murmurs, “I’ll cover her expenses until she’s better.”
Both Wella’s brows shoot up this time. “Really?”
“Really,” Blue confirms. “Medical bills, rent, whatever she needs help with, I’ll make sure she knows it’s taken care of, and that I’m happy to do it. It’s no burden at all.”
Wella’s eyes go a little dreamy. “That’s incredibly generous.”
Generous.
The word scratches the record again.
She’s clearly starting to see Blue as a hero, a man who steps up to do the noble thing in a friend’s time of need. And he is noble, but his offer also reminds me of the check that started it all.
If he hadn’t sent that stupid check for fifty grand, I might never have left New Orleans.
Fifty grand.
It was too much and not enough, generous and tone deaf all at the same time. Most men wouldn’t have sent anything, certainly not with a note assuring their baby mama that there was more help available any time she needed it. But I didn’t want his money. I didn’t need it, either, and he should have known that. He should have known that a check would make me feel shabby and small.