I tried to be patient, but it might’ve been the slowest elevator ever. I burst out of the doors when they opened, my shoes squeaking loudly on the tile. Everyone in the waiting room turned and stared at me. But I was only looking for one person. “Nolan?”
He spun around from where he stood alone by the windows. “Gabriella?”
And I beelined toward him.
He caught me and squeezed me tight.
I buried my face in his neck and didn’t want to let go.
He set me on my feet, and I curled my hands around his face. “Are you okay? Is he okay?”
“How did you find out?”
“I had to stop at Lakeside and Margene told me. I got here as soon as I could.”
Nolan pressed his mouth to mine and the kiss lingered. “Thank you for coming. I wanted you here so badly, but I didn’t have my phone and it’s been hectic.”
“Tell me what happened.”
While he filled me in, our bodies just naturally gravitated toward each other.
The soft touches and gentle caresses between us relayed our familiarity, our intimacy, more than a passionate kiss would have.
A loud throat clearing had us breaking apart.
No surprise that everyone stared at us, mostly with shock.
Jax approached us first. His gaze winged between us. “How long?” He paused and answered his own question. “Since the exhibition hockey game. Christ. I didn’t even notice when she stopped flipping you off, did I?”
Nolan flashed him a fast smile. “Nope.”
“To be honest, I still flip him off more than is probably healthy,” I said with obvious affection.
Jax snorted. “Am I the only one at Lakeside who didn’t know?”
“No one at Lakeside knew. Including Margene. She’s the one who told me you were at the hospital.”
“As you’ve probably heard, there’s not much to tell at this point,” Edie said behind me.
I faced her and hugged her. “How are you holding up?”
“As well as can be expected.” She straightened the collar of my T-shirt. “I’m glad you’re here for him.”
“I’m here for you too.” I clasped her hand in mine and squeezed. “Three years ago my dad had this same surgery. I understand how scary this is. My dad pulled through and he’s better than he was before. Archer will be too.”
“I wish I had your confidence.”
“I have enough for both of us.”
She leaned in and whispered, “Now I wish we would’ve stuck with the crafting thing. I need something to do with my hands besides pray.”
“I can sit beside you and hold your hand for as long as you need, Edie.”
Edie patted Nolan’s cheek. “Keep her.” She walked over to where her brothers-in-law stood.
I took my first look at Nolan’s outfit; he was wearing athletic shorts, shoes and a baggy T-shirt. “You said you don’t have your phone. Don’t you have other clothes?”
“I left everything at the club when I jumped in the ambulance.”
“I know you can’t leave, but do you want me to go to the club and get your stuff?”
“And Dad’s. And yes, that would be great.”
Jax said, “I’ll call them right now and make sure someone has it ready for you.”
“Perfect. Thank you.” I smoothed Nolan’s hair down. “Do you want me to pick up food for everyone?”
“We’ll order in if we need to. After you get my car keys, can you get my other bag out of my car? It’s got a change of clothes in it.”
“Of course.”
Nolan kissed me. “Hurry back.”
“I will.”
The country club was officially closed, but someone had stayed to hand off the Lunds’ items. I grabbed the other bag out of Nolan’s car and returned to the hospital within an hour.
Nolan’s uncles had taken him aside and were talking to him intently as Jax, Ash and Brady looked on across the room. Lucy, Edie and the other Lund matriarchs were sitting in between the two groups, eyeing each group warily.
As soon as Nolan saw me, he excused himself to meet me.
Jax came over too. “Thanks, Gabi. I’ll get Dad’s bag to Mom. At least she’ll have his phone until we get hers.”
“No problem.”
Then Jax looked at Nolan. “What’s that about?”
“Some crap that I absolutely don’t want to deal with right now.” He sighed and grabbed his bag, pausing to give me another kiss. “Thanks for this. You know I loathe being in these types of clothes longer than necessary.”
“It’s the first time I’ve ever seen you dressed like that.”