Page 40 of Heartbreak & Cupcakes
SADIE
Note to self:Next time you rush to the hospital and don’t know how long you’re going to be there, don’t forget a charger. Hospitals are boring.
Why, oh why, hadn’t I taken Charli up on her offer to come and stay with me? When I’d sent out the bat call texting her that I was freaking out with a capital F she’d dawned her BFF superhero cape and offered to fly in and keep me company. But, in all good conscience, I’d had to decline.
Tonight, was a “Cole Night. Cole Matthews, quarterback extraordinaire was in town, which happened only a few times a year. The pro ballplayer and Charli had been off and on for the better part of five years. The two of them had been playing a game of chicken with their emotions, neither one crying uncle first. They kept things casual despite the fact that it was clear to anyone with eyes that they were head over heels for one another.
What if tonight was the night that they were destined tofinallydeclare their feelings, but that didn’t happen because Charli was sitting in the waiting room of San Francisco General Hospital with me?
Never one to stand in the way of true love, I’d done what any good wing woman would do. I’d lied. I told her not to worry about it. I’d be fine.
Big mistake. Big. Huge.
That was many hours and a half dozen Real Housewives shows ago. Lexi had been asleep for the past three hours, which I was grateful for. As much as I loved her company, I was glad she was getting some rest.
I looked down at her sweet face lying on my lap and ran my hands through her hair and wondered where her mom was. She hadn’t mentioned her, and I hadn’t asked.
When I was young and people asked me where my mom was, I’d hated having to say the words that she was dead. With my history, I was very hesitant to ask that question of kiddos. I didn’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to deduce that most kids would have been asking for their mom in this situation, since she wasn’t I figured there was a reason.
Lexi had mentioned that her dad was on a plane. She couldn’t remember where he was going, but she’d been very clear that he would be back home in five sleeps.
I’d left my name and number with the nurse so that when they got in touch with someone, they could let them know that I had Lexi and she was fine. I wondered how long we’d have to be here before someone showed up. Or at least called.
I’d thought about taking her home, but I figured it would be best to wait.
A yawn claimed me, and I was just about to close my eyes for a few minutes when a nurse walked toward me at a brisk pace. Her pixie cut blonde hair complimented her oval face perfectly.
I’d always wanted to chop off my hair, be edgy, maybe even dye it a bold shade of blue or pink. But that wasn’t me. I was the girl who wore her hair and makeup the same as she had in high school.
Not wanting to disturb Lexi, I gently slid out from under her and rested her head on my bag. When I stood, my back cracked, and I stretched my neck and checked my watch. We’d been at the hospital for over eight hours.
“Sadie Burke?” the nurse stopped in front of me.
“Yes.” I spoke quietly as I nodded.
“You came in with Joanna Garrett?”
“I did, yes. How is she?”
“Are you family?”
My shoulders dropped in defeat as I exhaled a sigh and explained the situation for the dozenth time. “No. I own a bakery. She’s a regular customer. She collapsed. I called the ambulance. And I’ve been waiting with Lexi.” I motioned to the sleeping angel on the chairs.
The nurse’s expression told me that I’d just shared way too much information. “Lexi’s father is on the phone. He’d like to speak to you.”
“He is!” Oh, thank God.
“You can take it there.” She motioned to the desk in the corner of the room. “Line three.”
When I picked up the phone, I noticed that my hands were shaking. It made sense. I’d been mainlining coffee and the only sustenance I’d had were two Snickers bars. They really do satisfy. “Hello.”
“You have my daughter?”
His voice was deep, and I could hear the strain of worry in it. “Yes, hi. My name is Sadie Burke, I own a bakery, Sweet Temptations, and Mrs. Garrett and your daughter came in today and Mrs. Garrett collapsed.”
“Is Lexi okay?”
“She’s great! She’s sleeping.”
