I watched him dash in the building then turned to the young valet, her face red with adoration like she was committing the precious seconds Jacob was right there to memory. When I cleared my throat, the red darkened as she gave me an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, I just love the show."
I smiled back and pulled a twenty from my purse and took the tag. I heard the screech of the reporters questions, bulbs pulsing like strobe lights. Fact was, the last thing I wanted to do was go inside and face some terrible news, but that meant standing out here with them; and if something happened and I wasn't by Jacob's side, I'd never forgive myself.
I stepped inside and muttered, ‘You gotta be kidding me’ as soon as I saw Nurse Deadwood's brutal face. Jacob wasn't in the lobby so I assumed he'd put the fear of god in the woman. I didn't have that kind of presence and I sure as hell didn't have a wad of cash to bribe her with. I took a deep breath, banishing the defeatist attitude. You're getting through that door, Leila. One way or another.
I marched to the desk, replacing the nurse's squirrelly eyes with Rachel's big ones, making what came next easier.
"You're going to let me through that door," I said firmly. "And not because I write you a check. I'm family. That's my fiancé and future mother-in-law back there. I belong with them."
It was out. I stood my ground and waited for her to tell me to promptly turn my butt around and exit before she called security. Instead, she held out a name tag, hand trembling. "Mr. Whitmore is waiting for you."
I frowned slightly before raising my chin. "Good." I strut into the secure area seeing, Jacob at the end of the hall. He held up a finger and came toward me. I must have still been smiling like I'd slain a dragon or pulled a sword out of a stone because he gave me a weird look.
"Everything okay?"
I shook off my grin, but I could still hear it in my voice. "Yeah, it's just that nurse--"
"Deadwood?" His eyes narrowed. "I know she fleeced you and Missy. She should thank whatever deity she believes in that she still has a job." His voice blazed. "Did she give you any problems?"
I shook my head slowly, still stunned. If she was on Jacob's shit list, I actually felt sorry for her. I gestured at the nurse who was at the end of the hall, waiting patiently. "How's your mom?"
He sliced a hand through his hair, the stern look in his eyes fading into annoyance. "Doctor's in now. No visitors until he says so."
As we made our way back to where the nurse was waiting I realized it was more than just patience rounding her stance. It was the confidence of someone that was desensitized to celebrity. Under different circumstances, she might've been as star-struck as the valet. She had an average build, dirty blond hair and tired green eyes. The kind of woman that worked hard and swapped the tabloids from the checkout rack to escape her life before heading home to rambunctious kids. None of those glittering lights mattered here. Within these walls, she was in charge.
Jacob wasn't nearly as accepting of that as I was.
"This is ridiculous,” he growled. “If she's awake and alert as you claim, why can't I see her?"
"Because she's in the ICU," the nurse answered simply. "As soon as Dr. Schaub comes out--" She turned to the back as the doors clicked open and an older man in scrubs shuffled into our area. "Here he--"
Neither one of us waited for introductions, breezing over to the doctor, dread sinking in at his melancholy expression.
Jacob was a force, not wasting a moment. "I want to see my mother."
The doctor's weary gray eyes scanned Jacob's face. "Mr. Whitmore, your mother cannot handle a high degree of stress."
"Look--" Jacob stopped, taking a deep breath and calming himself. "I just want her to see me and know I'm here."
The doctor gave him a look that made me wonder if he did some tabloid reading himself. “If I let you in to see her, nothing should be brought up that could upset her."
"Understood."
He gave him a final look over then nodded. "Follow me." When I took a step in that direction he stopped. "I'm sorry, family only while she's in intensive care."
I saw Jacob gear up for a fight, so I just took a step back, hands up and non-combative. "It's alright. I'll be right out here." He didn't look ready to drop it, so I added, "It's alright. Go be with your mother."
I stood there, watching his taut back fade as he stepped into the ICU ward.
****
Leaving the hospital was like leaving a piece of me behind. I'd waited in the waiting room, sipping terrible coffee and watching terrible daytime shows about paternity tests and small claims court cases for what seemed like ages until the nurse who refused to let us go back sauntered over and delivered a message. Apparently Alicia was okay and I could go back to the office. For a brief moment, I wanted to send one back and say I'd wait out there for him, as long as it took, but pride and a sinking suspicion that she wouldn't deliver it anyway made me get up and exit. There was a car waiting and I barely had time to pout before I was being deposited in front of the Whitmore and Creighton building like a piece of luggage.
I knew that was overreacting. He wanted time alone with his mother. It was understandable. He deserved it. But I couldn't help but take offense to the fact that it was so easy to dismiss me. Why couldn't he deliver the message himself?
His mother had a heart attack, I chided myself. It makes sense that she's his focus right now. The little reminder didn't help my mood so I decided to focus on my heavy workload instead. As much as I dreaded a guilt trip from Missy, I had to get a recap of the meeting I'd missed. I made it to the floor and thanked god no one was waiting for the elevator before zipping up to the top floor instead. I was delaying the inevitable, but I was sure whatever Missy needed to say could be said after I had a minute to catch my breath.
I was hoping Natasha would be at lunch, but I saw her perched behind her desk, bright eyes on her computer screen until she saw me and her demeanor went from professional to Stick Up My Butt.
"Somebody's been popular today," she frowned. "I started wondering if I was Jacob's secretary or yours."
"Good afternoon," I said with the biggest smile I could stand. She wanted a confrontation and as much as I wanted to yell and scream, I wouldn't give her the satisfaction. "I take it you left the messages in my office?"
She glared at me from behind her bangs. New haircut. Something short in the front and long and flowing in the back that would have softened anyone else but with her perma-frown and ice colored eyes, she looked fiercer than usual.