I can’t say as of yet. We’re giving her some medicine for that and monitoring her closely, but it’ll probably be a while until we know for sure the extent of the damage.”
My worry, irritation, and anger flared. “But you’re a doctor. The head of the department. How can you not know anything yet?”
The doctor looked at me like I was a child. “Strokes are very tricky. She could come out of it perfectly fine, or she could be partially paralyzed and lose the ability to speak. Until we can stabilize her BP and she wakes up, we just don’t know.” He stood, patting me on the back. “We’ll keep you posted as soon as we know more, but it’ll probably be a while.”
After he left, we resumed our silent vigil. I was completely flabbergasted that in this century, with all of the advances in medicine we now had access to, the best the doctor could give me was “wait and see.”
“Jill?” my mom asked. “I’m going to go call your sister and your Aunt Natalie. Then I have to leave to pick up your dad at the airport. We’ll come straight here afterwards, but will you stay until we get back?”
“Of course, Mom. I’ll call if anything happens.”
She gathered her purse and keys. “Thanks, sweetie. I’ll probably be back well after midnight since Daddy’s flight doesn’t get in until late. Do you want some money for dinner or anything?”
I shook my head. “I’m not hungry.”
“You really should eat something. It’s not good to worry on an empty stomach. You’ll get an ulcer.”
I rolled my eyes and was about to fire back when Grant piped up. “I’ll get us something, Mrs. Mayfield. Don’t worry, I’m getting hungry myself. You just go and do what you need to do. I’ll take good care of Jillian.”
He smiled politely at her before turning and sitting next to me. My mom thanked him as she hustled out the door and toward her car. Now alone with Grant in the waiting room, I pulled my knees back to my chest and rested my chin on top of them. Tilting my head, I faced Grant.
He tucked my hair behind my ear. “You and your grandma are really close, huh?”
I nodded and smiled. “My parents used to have Gamma babysit me every afternoon after school until I was sixteen and could drive. She and Grandpa Sean often took my sister and me on the weekends growing up. They also used to take us around in their RV for a few weeks every summer to places like Yellowstone or to see the hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque until he passed away when I was thirteen. We’ve always been very close.”
“You’re lucky. I’ve only even seen my grandparents a few times since my mom died.”
“I can’t imagine life without her in it.” I blinked back tears. “Thank you for being here with me.”
He smiled and dragged me to him, so we were cuddled up together. The gesture was comforting.
“When the choice is between sitting next to you and seeing your beautiful face or being anywhere else, there is no choice.”
Looking up at him and seeing the sincerity in his eyes made it hard to remember we had only a few days before confirmed our decision to stay just friends. Or to remember that I had a boyfriend. I closed my eyes and snuggled closer into his chest, breathing in his alluring scent. This was one of the worst days of my life, and I wanted to accept what he was offering without worrying about the consequences.
With my eyes still closed, I felt him lower his lips to my temple and kiss me softly. He stayed there for a moment, like he was deciding if he should stop.
I didn’t want him to stop.
Ever.
I tilted my head, just an inch or so to give him more access. That was all he needed to solidify his course. He slowly, agonizingly slowly, peppered kisses down my face, stopping when his mouth was next to my ear. “Jillian,” he breathed. I knew he was asking permission. Permission I’d previously denied him. But right now I didn’t have the strength to fight my feelings.
I nodded and felt his body tense, the muscles in his arms tightening like a knotted rope.
His light, barely there kisses continued their downward path until his mouth was aligned with mine. A long, slow shiver slid down my spine like an electric current. His mouth hovered against mine, as if