Chapter 1: The Hospital Stranger

While hooked up to an IV in the infusion suite, I suddenly heard the private thoughts of the ridiculously good-looking guy sitting across from me:

[Oh my god, isn’t this the woman on Lucas’s phone lock screen?]

[If I call Lucas right now, won’t he come running over?]

[Alone in the middle of the night getting an IV—won’t Lucas feel heartbroken?]

The infusion suite was packed. I thought for sure the guy across from me must be talking about someone else. Probably just some drama about a girl with better hair.

But to my surprise, the person he was secretly snapping photos of with his phone was actually me.

1

When I was sick, I was all alone at the hospital getting an IV.

The fluorescent lights overhead made everything look pale and cold. My hospital bracelet scratched my wrist, and the sharp scent of antiseptic clung to the air, reminding me just how alone I really was. The slow, rhythmic drip of the IV was more nerve-wracking than soothing.

Watching the drip, I didn’t dare fall asleep.

Every few seconds, I’d peek up, paranoid the fluid would run out. I knew night shift nurses were always swamped, and the last thing I needed was to be forgotten and left with blood backing up the line.

At such a lonely, vulnerable moment, I overheard the guy across from me thinking:

[Oh my god, isn’t this the woman on Lucas’s phone lock screen?]

[Alone in the middle of the night getting an IV—if Lucas knew, wouldn’t he feel heartbroken?]

[If I call Lucas right now, won’t he come running over?]

The infusion suite was crowded. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic and microwaved soup from the vending machine. I thought for sure the guy was talking about someone else.

A couple of tired-looking nurses shuffled by, whispering about whose break was next. A mom in sweatpants tried to wrangle her son into his jacket. An old man snored with his head back. I figured the guy must be eyeing someone else—maybe the college girl by the window scrolling TikTok.

Like any bored patient, I scanned the room, waiting for some hospital drama to break out.

I kept my head low, but my eyes darted over to the guy, trying not to be obvious. Maybe there was some meet-cute about to go down, the kind of story that blows up a group chat later.

But unexpectedly, the person the guy across from me was sneaking photos of was...me.

I caught the faint sound of his camera shutter—barely there, but unmistakable—and realized his phone was angled just right to catch me in the shot. My skin prickled. Was there something on my face? Or was I just another hospital horror story he’d share in some group chat?

I wondered if I was just being paranoid, feeling fragile and desperate for company. But then I heard his thoughts again.

He kept his head down, pretending to text:

[Lucas, guess who I just ran into at the hospital.]

[Isn’t she the woman on your phone lock screen?]

[She’s here alone in the infusion suite, no one with her.]

[How would I know what illness she has?]

[Anyway, she’s all alone.]

[I can see she’s so sleepy, almost nodding off over and over.]

[But then she suddenly opens her eyes wide to check the IV bag.]

[Doesn’t your heart ache for her?]

[Ah, you want to know which hospital?]

[Of course, such important news comes at a price.]

[Dude, five hundred. Venmo or Zelle, your pick. Not a penny less.]

[If you’re even a dollar short, I won’t tell you.]

Five hundred bucks?

That’s not a tip, that’s extortion.

I rolled my eyes, nearly laughing out loud. Five hundred dollars to tattle on me? For that price, at least buy me dinner. I half wanted to text Lucas myself and split the finder's fee.

Honestly, for that price, I could at least get my parking validated.

If he was going to make me the star of his weird little hospital soap opera, I deserved a cut. Maybe I’d treat myself to a hospital cafeteria milkshake with my share.

Ding—looked like the payment came through.

The guy sat up, looking even more thrilled. He fidgeted in his plastic chair, like someone who’d just hit the jackpot on a slot machine. I had to smirk at how pumped he looked—this was clearly the most excitement he’d had all week.

I kept hearing his inner voice:

[Wow, Lucas, you’re so generous.]

[I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you right now.]

[City General Hospital, second floor, adult infusion suite.]

[Come quick, I’m waiting for you.]

[Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on her for you the whole time.]

If you’re going to keep watch over me, could you at least watch my IV bag?

I’m so sleepy. I want to sleep, but I’m afraid no one will call the nurse when the IV finishes.

If the blood backs up or air gets in, that would be a disaster.

I pictured myself slumped in this cold vinyl recliner while this dude live-texted Lucas about my every move. Maybe I should just hire him as my personal IV monitor—a high-tech, slightly creepy hospital buddy.

With my eyes closed, I tried to figure it out, but I was stumped.

Just which Lucas is secretly in love with me?

I mentally scrolled through every Lucas I knew. High school Lucas? Last I heard, he’d moved to Austin. Work Lucas? Married with twins. Was I missing something?

Until twenty minutes later.

Suddenly, someone pushed open the infusion suite door.

He wore a black trench coat—tall, striking. His long stride made him look even taller, drawing every eye in the room.

The coat looked like it belonged in a detective movie, and the way he moved—confident, purposeful—made him stand out even among the exhausted patients and nurses.

Underneath, he wore a white shirt, his waistline faintly visible, exuding a quiet sensuality.

There was a crisp, expensive cologne that cut through the hospital air as he walked in. The sight of him was almost cinematic—like he’d just stepped off a magazine spread and landed in this drab hospital room.

But what shocked me most was his face—so familiar.

Top-tier looks.

Wasn’t this Lucas Landon, my best friend’s younger brother who had already moved overseas?

My stomach dropped. The memories came back in a rush, making my face flush with embarrassment and something else I couldn’t quite name. I couldn’t believe it—Lucas, here, now? The last person I ever expected to see again, especially like this.

Suddenly, memories I thought were long buried came flooding back.