“Michael.” Why did his voice have to be so damn low and smooth, wrapping around her like a favorite down comforter? It would be so easy to close her eyes and listen to that wonderful voice as she drifted away again, away from the pain and embarrassment. But she couldn’t do that.
“I really think I should go before I embarrass myself any further,” she said. If that was even possible.
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Maggie. Accidents happen. But you do need medical attention.”
“And you gave it to me. Thank you, by the way. I’m feeling a lot better.” She forced a smile and sat up – this time he let her - holding the smile in place while she fought the urge to heave. Wouldn’t that just be the perfect end to a perfect day? Fall on her face, insult the sexy doctor, then vomit in his lap. Yep, that would be priceless. Best to cut her losses and get the hell out while she could.
“Um, do I owe you anything?”
He didn’t answer. When she glanced back up to his face with her one good eye he looked a bit annoyed. Well, too bad. He wasn’t the one nearly dying of mortification.
He lifted the ice pack to examine her right eye. “You shouldn’t be alone until we know you’re okay. Concussions aren’t something to mess around with. Is there someone who can stay with you tonight?”
Was he offering? The crazy thought zinged through her head, proving just how hard she must have hit it. The chance of someone like him spending the night with someone like her was about as likely as her winning the lottery, which was pretty much impossible since she didn’t have the money to waste on foolish things like Pick-6 tickets.
Still, he seemed genuinely concerned. She wondered if he treated all of his patients like this. That thought was immediately followed up with one that said there would be a long line of broken hearts if he did.
She didn’t want to be joining them. He was a nice guy, trying to do a nice thing. Nothing more, no matter how often her heart skipped a beat when he looked at her like that. She wondered if he had been able to feel the irregular pattern when he had taken her pulse, flushing a dark pink at the thought.
Let him off the hook, her woozy mind urged, so he can get back to the party without feeling guilty. Yes, that would be the responsible thing to do.
“I don’t live alone,” she said, choosing her words carefully. Well, it was kind of true, at least as long as they weren’t limiting the conversation to actual people.
Michael looked at her with those amazing blue eyes, so clear and probing she cast her own downward in guilt. “Really,” she said quietly, “I just want to go home now. Please.” She hated the feel of the hot tears that burned in her eyes. She wasn’t an overly emotional person normally. But this day had been far too much, and she just wanted it to end before she had a breakdown and humiliated herself any further.
“Hey,” he said softly, laying his hand on her upper arm. “It’s alright, Maggie.” The shock of warmth sent shivers through her, but not as much as the concern in his eyes. Eyes that looked deeper than they should have. Eyes that were too genuine, too caring. Once again, she found herself turning away rather than face him.
“In any event, I don’t think you’re in any shape to drive,” he told her, and no matter how much she wished otherwise, she knew he was right.
“No, I’m not,” she agreed, “but I came with Sherri anyway.” She sighed, looking toward the room where the music still played. Sherri had been looking forward to this night for weeks. She would be devastated if she had to leave early. Maggie couldn’t do this to her, even if it meant spending next week’s food budget on a cab ride home. “Maybe you could call me a cab?”
“If you won’t let me take you to the hospital, at least let me drive you home,” Michael suggested.
“Oh, I really couldn’t ask you to do that,” Maggie said, her face reddening, her pulse quickening. “I’ve already ruined enough of your evening.”
He smiled again, that sexy lopsided smile that had her heart skipping a beat. “Technically you’re not asking; I’m offering. And I don’t mind. Really,” he added, when he saw her look of disbelief. “I’m not all that into bachelor parties,” he said. “They won’t even know I’m gone.”
She raised an eyebrow, wincing as she did. Such a small gesture should not hurt so much. Maggie made a mental note not to do that again for the next few days.
“Consider it my fee, if you like,” he added, a twinkle in his eye.
“You would consider driving me home payment for scraping me off the floor and saving me from even worse humiliation?”
“My fees are steep, I admit, but I’m just good enough to be worth it.”