Page 50 of The Encounter
Maddie’s eyes lit up immediately, and a smile stretched across her face. “Hey!”
“My hero! You brought coffee!” Kayla exclaimed.
Jace laughed and set the items down on the small table in the corner before immediately going to Maddie and wrapping his arms around her. She still sat in the hospital bed with an IV hooked up to her arm. Her hair was flat around her face and dark circles hung beneath her eyes. He knew he looked similar, as he only slept on-and-off for an hour after he spoke with Maddie.
At every sound, he’d startle awake and check his phone to make sure Maddie hadn’t tried to contact him. Eventually, he gave up on sleep and paced his loft until it was an acceptable time to leave and pick up coffee.
“Hey,” he breathed into her hair.
“Dying. Of. Thirst. Need. Coffee,” Kayla said dramatically from her bed.
Maddie laughed and loosened her grip on Jace. “You better give her the drink, or she won’t stop.”
Reluctantly, Jace stepped back and grabbed the drinks off the tray, handing one to Kayla and one to Maddie.
“You didn’t get one for yourself?” Maddie asked.
“Oh, I did. I’ve already drank three.”
She laughed. “I probably would have to if I had access to it.” She gestured at her arm. “Just hook it up to the IV.”
He chuckled and grabbed the pastry box next. “Can I interest either of you in a danish or scone?”
“Please,” Maddie said. He held the box out with napkins and she selected what she wanted before he brought it over to Kayla, who did the same.
“You’re amazing. Thank you for this,” Kayla said.
“It’s the least I can do after those assholes drugged you in my club.”
Kayla and Maddie exchanged looks before Maddie focused on Jace.
“That’s not your fault. You didn’t know those guys would do that.”
He sat down on the edge of Maddie’s bed and took her hand in his, interlacing their fingers. “I wish I could have protected you.”
“You did. You told me to go to your bathroom. If you hadn’t…” she trailed off.
He brought their interlocked hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
Maddie smiled, but the nurse walking in interrupted their moment.
“Good news, you two. You get to go home.”
“Yay!” Kayla half-heartedly cheered from her bed. “Let’s roll out. Mama needs a shower.”
The nurse turned to Jace. “Hi, I’m Susan. You must be Jace.”
“I am.” He shook her hand.
“You’re here to take these ladies home?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Wonderful. They may still have some traces of the drug in their systems, so we would like to wheel them out to make sure no one falls on the way to the car. You can pull around up to these doors at the end of the hallway. They’re near the lobby exit.”
Then she turned to Maddie and Kayla. “Here is your discharge paperwork. This explains what to do if you have any abnormal symptoms and don’t feel yourself by tomorrow. The drug shouldn’t be affecting you much, if at all. And with that, you’re all set to go right after we get those IVs out of your arms.”
Jace grabbed the box of pastries and opened it up. “Thank you for all your help. You’re welcome to take this and share it with your co-workers. We appreciate everything you’ve done.”
