“You know best,” I tell him, confident in his opinion.
“I promise I’ll keep trying,” Doctor Mike says. “If anyone can save her, we can.” He winks at me, before turning to leave. “Just pick a better nail polish color next time. That looks trashy.”
I sigh, wishing I could throw something at him. When he leaves and closes the door, I lean over the beautiful woman and squeeze her hand, whispering, “Screw him, Evie. You’re going to be fine. Just hang on. Tomorrow, we’re going to do your eyebrows.”
Chapter 8
Sitting in the hospital break room, I exchange a few frustrated texts with Gabriel, who has just woken up. I couldn’t wait to ask why he didn’t tell me about trying to move Yvette to France.
You know I’m taking care of her, why wouldn’t you discuss that with me?
He takes a few seconds to respond. Sorry, Milla. It wasn’t my decision, her parents were asking me to fly her home. They figure that if she’s going to be unconscious anyway, they would rather have it be close to them, so they can see her.
Oh, I understand. I text back, staring into space thoughtfully. That would probably be good for her. I try to spend time with her and talk to her, but I bet it would help her a lot more to be around her family.
But we were all really disappointed to learn that the hospital wouldn’t let her leave, Gabriel responds.
That was probably Doctor Mike. He says that he thinks it will kill her to be moved.
Then it’s better that we don’t move her. I trust her in your hands.
I’m trying my best, I text him.
This pandemic has really done a great job of keeping people separated from their families and loved ones, Gabriel writes. I’ve been searching for a way that I can get into the country to visit you… or a way that you can get into France to visit me. It’s nearly impossible.
I know, I text back. I want to be with you, Gabe. I don’t know how much longer I can wait. It’s driving me crazy. I just want to be beside you.
We will make it happen soon, Milla. The borders won’t remain closed forever. Just a few more months… and I’m sure that restrictions will ease up once everyone becomes vaccinated.
I hope so.
I am frowning hard when Veronica walks in on me.
“Hey girl,” she says, suspiciously. “I like your new cell phone case! I’ve been telling you for years that you need to get something cute.”
“Oh… thanks,” I say softly, feeling embarrassed. It’s actually Yvette’s silver cell phone case, which I temporarily borrowed. I feel a bit guilty—first I took her man, and then I took her cell phone case. But I’ve been so busy working that I never have a chance to go shopping, and I just kept dropping my phone and…
I feel bad, but I don’t really have the energy to explain this to her now.
“I didn’t think all those glitters and jewels were your style,” Veronica says as she puts her lunch in the microwave, and comes to sit down across from me.
“It’s just temporary,” I tell her. Gabriel chooses that moment to text me, and now he’s being playful. I guess he knew I was stressed, so he’s trying to make me smile. He succeeds.
“Okay. What’s going on?” Veronica asks. “I’m not an idiot. Who’s the guy?”
I look up at my friend anxiously. I’ve been dying to tell her—or someone. Anyone. I take a deep breath. “Promise you won’t get upset?”
“How bad can it be?” she asks. “Is it someone we work with? Is it Mike? I know that Mike has been putting the moves on you lately.”
“No, it’s not Mike,” I tell her softly. I reach back to take my hair out of the tight ponytail that is killing my scalp. “I feel like you’re going to be really mad at me…”
“Milla. Spill.”
“Okay, okay,” I say, taking another deep breath for confidence. “You know my patient, Yvette?”
“Coma girl? Sure.”
“Before we sedated her, she asked me to call her husband, who’s this philosophy professor and writer from Paris, and…”
Veronica’s eyes are growing narrowed.
“I know how it sounds—but hear me out. They hadn’t even seen each other in like a year. They were estranged. Their relationship was already falling apart, and she was seeing someone else—”
“Camilla!” she nearly shouts at me. “Are you serious?”
Oh, god. I feel so awful. I lower my gaze, unable to look at her face.
“She’s on a breathing machine! And you’re texting her husband?”
“I know. I know. I know how horrible it looks… but V…”
“Listen…” she says quietly, as if pondering this information. She holds up a finger. The microwave has stopped, but she doesn’t get up to check on her food. “Just because you haven’t dated anyone in a million years doesn’t mean you get to go after married men.”
“I know…”
“But!” she says loudly. “But life is weird. And sometimes you meet the people who matter the most to you in the strangest ways. So, if you say that this is real, and you trust him, and he’s good to you… I will support whatever crazy decisions you make.”
“Really?” I ask, breathlessly. My heart soars. “You don’t think I’m crazy?”
“Nah. Love is crazy, anyway. We can’t choose when and where it happens.”
I feel a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I feel validated. She’s the first person to say something kind about my relationship. Now, it feels a little more real.
Veronica reaches out to take my hand. “As long as you’re happy, Milla. I’ll always support you.”
I stand up and walk around the table to give her a hug. She hugs me back.
“Thank you,” I tell her softly. “Thank you so much.”
“But what if she wakes up?” Veronica asks.
I can’t help but feel a twinge of dread enter my heart at her words. “I don’t know.”
Chapter 9
It’s been another long day. Longer than usual, because
