Her eyes twinkled, and the corner of her mouth twitched. “Sorry. The only rule is no visitors under twelve.”

Andrew turned his attention to Jeni. “Sorry, little one. You gotta go.”

Jeni put her hand up to her face and rubbed the side of her nose with her middle finger, turning in such a way their mom couldn’t see the gesture.

“Worth a shot,” he said under his breath.

“Well, I’d better get going.” Lauren cleared her throat as her eyes traveled up the IV pole. “Any questions or issues before things get started? Did you get the pills I sent to your pharmacy?”

“We have them,” Valerie said before Andrew could. She patted her purse.

“Great. I hope you won’t need them, but I want you to have them just in case.” Lauren brought her eyes back to his. “You’ll call Dr. Patel’s office if they don’t work, right?”

“You act like I’m not good at following orders,” Andrew said, feigning offense. “Why is that? You don’t even know me.”

“She’s a smart woman,” Jeni said.

Lauren grinned at Jeni, then darted her gaze back to him. “I know male patients, and generally, as a group, you don’t like taking medication.”

“We also don’t like to kneel at the porcelain throne.”

“Sounds like we’re on the same page, then. Give me a call if you need anything.” Twin spots of color formed on her cheeks, and she quickly added, “I mean the clinic. Call the clinic if you need anything.”

Andrew kept his eyes on Lauren as she walked down the hallway. She raised one hand to smooth her hair and slid it down the back of her head, gripping her neck for a moment as she walked. Just as she turned the corner she dropped her arm to her side and looked back, meeting his eyes for the briefest second before she was out of view.

“Andrew?” Valerie’s voice sounded in his ear. “Are you listening?”

“What?” Andrew found five women staring at him. Four, he was used to. But Mandi had apparently rejoined them and was eyeing him as well. “Sorry.”

“No problem. I just wanted to let you know what I’m about to give you,” Mandi said. “All three of these are medications to prevent nausea. I’ll run them separately, one right after another. Should take about forty-five minutes.”

Andrew nodded understanding. Here we go. Nerves unfurled deep in his gut, and he suddenly felt antsy. He had a strong urge to get up and leave, but that wouldn’t do him any good. Inhaling deeply, he pulled his phone out of his pocket, hoping to distract himself with Instagram.

Mandi manipulated the tubing and pressed a few buttons on the computerized pump attached to the IV pole. His mother asked Mandi where she was from and how long she’d been an oncology nurse.