“You’re set on this, Miss O’Shea?” Dr. Brennan asked.

I get that you’re concerned, but is it really necessary to ask repetitively? Twice wasn’t enough? Seven or eight times feels like too many.

“Course I am. Lad needs a place to stay while he recovers.”

The doctor handed me a packet as I finished signing discharge papers. I briefly glanced at the list of do’s and don’ts for James’ diet plan. Reached for the handles of the wheelchair as a nurse brought James over.

“The sedation shouldn’t last much longer. If there are any signs of excessive tiredness, any trouble at all, just call my office or bring him back in.”

I nodded as another nurse passed me a prescription slip for sleeping medication. She advised me to fill it as soon as possible so James would be able to get some semblance of rest at night. I thanked her and Dr. Brennan again for their help and handed the papers to James.

“We get to go home now, James,” I said, struggling a bit to turn the wheelchair.

The nurse, perhaps out of pity, took over for me. Drowsy but focused, James watched me as I came around to walk beside the wheelchair. He absently traced circles over the edge of the packet with his metal thumb.

“Little bump,” the nurse warned as the wheelchair went over the track of the sliding doors separating the hospital tiles from the concrete outside.

“This is us over here,” I directed with a point to my hatchback.

My friend Claire waved from where she stood beside the driver’s side of the car. I helped James to his feet and we slowly walked over as she opened the back passenger side door. He drew the papers protectively to his chest at the sight of her.

“So, this is the mystery guy, huh?” Claire asked as she looked over my shoulder.

His gaze darted between us. The papers rustled as he scrunched them together anxiously.

“Don’t worry, buddy. Hospitals are rough for everyone,” she sympathized as she threw an arm over my shoulders.

“Would you mind driving to the pharmacy and then back to my apartment? I want to sit in the back with him.”

She pulled away to give a salute and a grin. “Whatever you say, Maevaline!”

At her withdrawal, James hesitantly approached the open car door. I shut the door after him once he was settled inside. His gaze resettled on me as I got in the other side and buckled myself into the seat beside him. After a long moment, he moved to mimic the action. He flinched as the car pulled away from the curb. I placed my hand over his as we joined the traffic.

“You working a full shift on Monday?” Claire asked as she pulled up to a red light.

“I have to. I used up my sick leave pulling half shifts all week.”

“What are you gonna do about James then?” she asked, slowly following the cars in front of us forward as the light changed.

“Once he’s got his mind clear again, I’ll explain about work. Get some groceries picked up so he can eat according to the diet plan they gave him.”

She nodded. Took a sharp right.

James leaned his head back against the headrest as the car turned. Closed his eyes and pulled in a deep breath. He looked a wee bit too pale for comfort.

“Take it easy on the turns?” I asked.

She looked at us for a moment in the rearview mirror. Nodded again as traffic slowed.

“I don’t know why I’m bothering to ask when I know the answer, but he’s staying at your place?” she inquired softly.

“You gonna tell me it’s a bad idea like Dylan has all week?” I said, no small amount of aggravation in my tone.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s not your first roommate. I know you can handle yourself. Think he’ll be alright though? You said his anxiety was something awful.”

I squeezed his hand as James took another measured breath during a slower left turn.

“I’ll just have to trust that he will be. I don’t have any more leave time I can use. Should be a little better at the apartment since it’ll be quieter.”

Dazed eyes sharpened when we pulled into the pharmacy drop-off lane. He immediately handed over the prescription slip when Claire asked for it. It only took a few minutes to get back on the road.

When I suggested he could nap his brows pulled together the tiniest bit. Maybe the sedation is still making his head fuzzy, and that’s why he’s confused?

About twenty minutes later Claire parked in front of my apartment. She had the sense not to comment on his first stumbled step toward the apartment. He stared down at the mat while I dug my house keys out of my purse to unlock the door.

“I’ll be keeping the car keys so I can pick up that script for you in a couple hours,” Claire called as James stepped inside the apartment.

“I appreciate that. Thank you.”

She gave me a cheeky smile. “Of course! I understand how it is. Find a hot guy. Can’t tear yourself away from him.”

I rolled my eyes at her attempt at humor. She snickered and waved.