I pushed myself off the wall and went over to check out the food. I should have reached for the deli meat and cheese, definitely needing the protein to keep me going, but I went for the sweets instead. I added another cookie to my plate and a muffin that had some crunchy crumbles on top.

Rebecca had already left, so I moved into the corner to eat, and just as I was swallowing my first bite, a familiar face walked into the break room.

“Get over here,” I gasped, setting my treats on the windowsill to wrap my arms around Emily. “How do you feel? Are you sore from falling?”

“I’m fine. I just haven’t seen you in almost forty-eight hours, and I needed to put my eyes on my girls to make sure you were all still kicking.” She pulled away, a grin lighting up her face. “I see you’re enjoying Caleb’s goodies.”

“How did you know about this?”

“He reached out through Instagram and told me his plan, asking about your favorite foods.” She took a bite of my cookie. “Oh, but it doesn’t end there. He even shot me a text when he called you and told me your whereabouts, so I’d be able to find you.”

“I’m … speechless.”

“I knew you would be.” She brushed a crumb off my top. “Have you been downstairs? Security is nuts, but on the plus side, some hottie cop named Charlie rubbed his wand all over me. I guess they’re worried about another bomber popping up.” When I stayed frozen, my focus still on the news she’d just shared, she lifted a piece of muffin and held it in front of my mouth. “Did we just fall in love with Caleb?”

I ate from her fingers and said, “No … maybe.” I took a deep breath. “But I’m kind of exploding from his sweetness.”

“Even my heart is fluttering.” She leaned her shoulder into the wall. “Have you seen the girls?”

I finished the rest of the cookie, the chocolate still gooey and melting on my tongue. “Just Rebecca. She looks as bad as I do. They’ve pulled nurses from other hospitals outside the city to help with coverage, but I honestly don’t know when I’ll be home.”

She tucked chunks of hair behind my ears, my bun needing a redo hours ago. “I know you’re like Night of the Living Dead at the moment, but Caleb’s attention looks radiant on you.”

“I have almost every bodily fluid on me right now, which”—I took another bite of the muffin—“is a terrifying thought as I’m eating, but thank you.”

There was a ringing from my pocket, and I pressed my work phone against my ear and said, “This is Whitney.”

“Hey, doll,” the unit secretary said. “Patient in room 614 needs you.”

“I’ll be right there.”