The Magnolia Sisters (Magnolia Sisters #1) - Michelle Major Page 0,65
mission and wasn’t going to be deterred from it. “I’m Avery Keller.”
He frowned. “Friends?”
“Just friends,” she clarified and thought she saw his expression soften slightly. “But his daughter is at home, and he wants to see her. Can you please help?”
“You understand there’s a discharge process?”
She nodded. “I’m also guessing that you can fast-track it.”
“If I choose to,” he agreed.
“Well then...”
“Let’s go see how the patient is doing, and I’ll make my decision.”
They walked down the hall together and entered the room, only to find Gray in a standoff with one of the nurses.
“Dr. Jepsen,” she said, throwing out her arms. “Please tell this patient to stop being a stubborn pain in my butt.”
Gray rolled his eyes. “I can’t understand it when you use that complicated medical jargon, Julie.”
“I take it the two of you know each other,” the doctor said, folding his arms across his chest.
“We dated in high school,” Gray muttered.
“He was smarter back then,” the nurse added, earning a laugh from the doctor.
Something that felt strangely like jealousy slithered along Avery’s spine. Stupid of her. Clearly Gray and the spunky nurse were only friends now, even if they’d once been close.
“I need to go home,” Gray announced to the room in general.
“Understood.” Brodie moved forward. “Avery is quite the advocate for you.”
Gray’s gaze moved to her as if the words the doctor spoke didn’t make sense.
“Are you his ride?” Julie asked. “Or should I call—”
“I can take him.”
Brodie turned to face her. “But you’re just friends?”
“Yes,” she agreed slowly, glancing up at Gray when he made a noise low in his throat.
What was that about?
The doctor nodded. “Julie will check your vitals one more time, Gray. If everything’s good, she’ll go over the discharge instructions. But only if you promise that you’ll call or come in if anything changes. I have an inhaler prescribed but you were lucky your injuries were superficial given the nature of the fall. We’ll have you out of here as soon as possible.”
“Now would be even better.” Gray ran a hand through his hair. “I always read Violet her bedtime story. She sleeps better with a routine.”
Avery pressed two fingers to her chest. There went that melting sensation again.
“What time does she go to bed?” Julie asked gently.
“Eight,” Gray answered.
The nurse put a hand on his shoulder. “You’ll make it.”
“Thanks, Juls.”
And the melting abruptly stopped.
“Have you lived in Magnolia all your life?” Brodie asked Avery as Julie spoke to Gray.
Avery choked back a laugh. Was it possible she’d met the one person in this town who didn’t know her history? “I’m new,” she said. “I’m only here for a few weeks visiting family.”
“Got it.” He leaned in. “Any chance you’d like to have dinner while you’re in town?”
“Doc, do I schedule my follow-up with you?” Gray called from the other side of the room.
“You can see your regular doctor for that,” Brodie answered without taking his eyes from Avery. “There’s a great little Italian place out near the beach.”
“What if I don’t have a regular doctor?”
“I’ll refer you,” Brodie said, his voice tight.
Avery shot Gray a glare over the doctor’s shoulder, then lifted her gaze to Brodie’s. “Thank you, but it’s not a good time right now. My life is a bit on overload.” Not to mention, she couldn’t imagine being with anyone but Gray.
“If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
As promised, the discharge process went quickly. On the way out of the hospital, Avery called Carrie to explain the situation. There wasn’t anything she expected of her sister at this point. She’d already talked to Meredith earlier to ask for help with Spot. But somehow Carrie’s gentle voice soothed her. She retrieved her car from the parking lot and pulled up to the main entrance. Julie helped