“She still hasn’t answered you?”

“No.” Gretchen regarded Amanda. “Are you wearing lipstick?” She leaned closer. “Is that eyeshadow?”

Amanda covered her face self-consciously. “I always wear a little makeup.”

“This is more than a little. Do you have a date today? Or is this all for a certain MD?”

“For the last time, I’m not interested in Dr. Melendez like that.” Amanda checked the door. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the attention.”

“Your cleavage is distracting.”

Amanda adjusted her shirt just as Dr. Melendez entered the room.

“Good morning, ladies.” Dr. Melendez looked at Amanda’s chest for a split second before her attention was solely on Gretchen. “Who’s ready to go home tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?” she said hopefully. “You really think I’m ready?”

“I do. Your speech bounced back more quickly than we expected, your body is healing and moving well, and you’re acclimating to your meds with no issues.” Dr. Melendez looked around the room. “Should I wait to continue? Jax may want to hear some of this.”

“Jax is choosing not to be here.”

Dr. Melendez’s mouth formed a small O. “Your scans look good. Everything looks good. Do you feel ready to go home?”

Gretchen answered quickly, “I do. I may not remember much, but I’m sure I still love my own bed better than this hospital one.” She gripped the rail for emphasis.

Dr. Melendez excused herself as she stepped between Amanda and Gretchen’s bedside. She started examining Gretchen’s shoulder and ribs. “How has your pain been?”

“Getting better day by day.”

“I want you to take over-the-counter meds like Tylenol or Advil instead of continuing with the narcotics. If you feel like they aren’t doing the trick, call me and I’ll prescribe something stronger.”

“I’ll be okay.”

Amanda chimed in and said, “She’s always had a high tolerance for pain. Not like me, I’m a baby.”

“I find that very hard to believe,” Dr. Melendez said. Her eyes stayed on Gretchen the whole time.

Gretchen couldn’t see Amanda’s face, but she was sure she swooned. “When can I go back to work?”

Gretchen winced as Dr. Melendez tilted her head to evaluate her wound. The bump on the back of her skull might have been shrinking, but it was still tender to the touch. “I’d like you to wait at least another two weeks, at which time you’ll come in to see me for a follow-up and an MRI.”

The thought of two weeks at home with no work as a distraction worried Gretchen. But she had a four-year-old to keep her busy.

Jax barged into the room. “What did I miss?” Her face was hard, and she didn’t even cast a glance at Gretchen.

They were all silent. Dr. Melendez coughed.

“Gretchen is being discharged tomorrow,” Amanda said. “No pain meds.”

Dr. Melendez tapped the screen of her iPad. “You will have your antiseizure medication. It’s very important you follow the instructions and take those on schedule. Avoid physical exertion, high-stress situations. Just take it easy. Once I see you in two weeks, we’ll know what the next step is.”