Page 70 of Dream Chaser

Dr. Zanetti examined me, asked more questions, and left, promising to be back as soon as my labs were ready.

Alejandro returned and sat in the chair beside me. “Did the doctor look at your back?”

“My back?”

“You hit it on the bookcase. And you said it hurt that time in the elevator.”

“I didn’t hit it that hard. It’s kind of a chronic thing, anyway. I don’t think it matters.”

“That’s not up to you,” Alejandro said, firm. “They need to know about that so they don’t miss anything important.”

“Uh-huh.” I forced a smile. “You used your boss tone. Am I in trouble?”

His mouth curved. “You would be, under different circumstances. Not today.”

By the time Dr. Zanetti returned, the spinning slowed but didn’t stop completely.

“I have some results for you.” His gaze shifted from me to Alejandro. “So…”

“He can stay,” I said.

“All right. Your heart is fine, Nova, but your blood pressure is slightly lower than the norm, and you have a significant iron and vitamin b12 deficiency. I’ll prescribe anti vertigo medication and supplements, but you should be on bed rest for at least a few days.”

I swallowed a frustrated groan. I’d miss work when we had so much to do. Right after I got promoted.

“She will be,” Alejandro said. “What could’ve caused the deficiency?”

“I’m going to give Nova a referral for a hematologist to look into the possible causes,” the doctor said. “But nutrition and stress can play a part.”

“She needs a referral for her chronic backache too. Can that be arranged?”

“She’d need to talk to her primary care doctor about that,” Dr. Zanetti said, handing Alejandro the paperwork.

Alejandro’s mouth collapsed into a frown.

“It’s okay,” I whispered. “My back isn’t bothering me right now.”

After making sure there were no more questions, the doctor left the room, and Alejandro helped me sit. “Any better?”

“A little,” I said, “but don’t worry. Dr. Zanetti said it should improve with rest.”

“I’m going to take you home.”

As I stood, my legs wobbled, and I swayed. Sandra appeared with a wheelchair. “Hold on, honey. You sit right here while your husband gets the car and meets us at the door.”

She wheeled me to the ER exit. Alejandro pulled up to the curb. Both of us thanked Sandra, then he helped me into his SUV. Despite the exhaustion, worry, and never-ending spinning, I felt calm in his presence.

Serene. Protected. The feeling so new I wondered why in the years I’d been married I’d never felt this way.

“It’s the building next to mine, right?” he asked, starting the car.

“Yeah,” I whispered. “Thank you.”

On the drive home, he’d kept quiet. Pensive. A worry line had settled between his eyebrows like something was stressing him out. I hoped it wasn’t me, but he’d spent hours at the hospital with me, neglecting his commitments. He was probably both tired and fed up with taking care of me all day. Preston would be.

He found a parking spot in front of my building, then got out of the car and rounded it. “Come on, I’ll help you,” he said, holding the door open. As soon as my feet touched the sidewalk, he lifted me and carried me into the lobby.

“I think I can stand,” I told him as we waited for the elevator.