“Mike got into a fight,” she said. I looked Mike over, a little shocked. That was more than just a fight.
“Why?” I asked, remembering the guy who took Mike aside.
“He was mugged in the bathroom,” she said, but I knew something wasn’t right.
“What? Oh my god!” I gasped. “Let’s go.” I unarmed my car. Nick helped Mike across the parking. “Nick, are you able to stick around until I drop them off?”
“Yes,” he said, helping Mike in the car.
When we got to the hospital, it took an hour before the nurse called him in to be seen by the doctor. Jennifer went with him while Nick and I sat in the waiting room.
“Sorry about this,” I said. “It’s fine.” He smiled. “It’s not like I was doing anything , just going to bed.”
“Oh—bed. That would be nice,” I said, leaning back in the chair and resting my head. I heard him chuckle. “Aren’t you tired?” I asked.
“Not anymore,” he said looking over at me. “A bit restless, though, from that coffee.”
“Guess you should have listened to me.” I giggled. “Yeah, yeah.” He rested his elbows on his knees.
About twenty minutes later, Jennifer came around the corner to give us an update.
“He has to get a few stitches, and then the doctor wants to keep an eye on him for a few hours, make sure he doesn’t have a concussion,” she said nervously.
“Oh, okay,” I replied.
“You guys can head out. We’ll call a cab when we are done here.” Jennifer smiled, then walked over to me and hugged me. “Thank you for waiting.”
“Of course,” I said and smiled, hugging her back. “I’ll see you at work?”
“Yep.” She smiled, turning away. “Nice to meet you, Nick.” She waved then winked at me.
“You too.” He stood, sticking his hands in the pockets of his jacket. When we got outside, I stretched looking up at the sky.
“So much for a decent sleep,” I sighed. When I glanced over at Nick he was watching me and smiling. “What?” I asked nervously but Nick shook his head then looked away.
“We—uh—can probably go and get my car now,” Nick said.
“No, it has only been an hour since your last drink. I will take you home.” I started walking down the driveway, heading to the side street where I parked my car.
“I don’t need to be coddled, Lauren,” he said with a laugh, catching up.
“I’m not coddling you, Nick.” I turned, walking backwards. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. Besides, I don’t want to read in the paper tomorrow that you crashed your million-dollar car.”
He laughed and replied, “I’m touched.”
When we got to my car, Nick leaned over the hood, staring at me and as I went to get in, when I noticed he was staring I stared back.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“I haven’t heard from Mason,” he said.
I winced at the mention of his name. “I—I wasn’t—” I stuttered.
“It’s okay.” He stepped away from the car, still watching me. “I just figured that was the reason you had no problem driving me across the city to my house.” He shrugged, and I felt my heart sink. I didn’t know if it was because he had said Mason’s name or because of the look on his face. The fact that he thought all I cared about was Mason bothered me.
“Nick—that’s not why I offered to drive you home,” I said.
“I just thought—”