Just Friends

Ian

He was there when I woke.

I could smell his cologne nearby, confirming his presence through the slit between my eyelashes. His head bobbed over his right shoulder as he dozed, his suit jacket draped haphazardly over the back of the chair. A monitor beeped to my left, and my skin erupted in goosebumps as my body registered the chill of the hospital's central air conditioning.

On the wall opposite me was a whiteboard with three names and a phone number scrawled across it. A curtain separated me from what I suspected was the main hallway. Beyond the curtain I heard phones ringing and alarming monitors in various rooms. When I turned my attention back to Ian, he was watching me.

"Hi," I said.

His lips tugged at the corners.

"Hi," he replied.

"How long was I out?"

Ian glanced at his wristwatch.

"Only about two hours. By the way-" he reached into his pants pocket and retrieved something small and silver.

"- I have your cell phone."

He passed it back to me, and I nearly jumped as our fingers brushed against eachother. His hands were still warm, despite the frigid air.

"Thank you."

"Like dogs?"

I blinked.

"Excuse me?"

"I asked you if you liked dogs. I couldn't help noticing your screen lock was a photograph of you and a golden retriever."

I let out a breath, wondering why I was still so keyed up. Could it be my proximity to Ian that was wreaking havoc on my nervous system?

"Yes. That's my dog, Bentley. I adopted him from a homeless man about a year and a half ago."

Ian's eyebrows raised.

"A homeless man?"

I nodded and reached for the plastic cup of water someone had been kind enough to leave on the bedside table. It felt good going down my parched throat.

"Yes. The guy frequented the corner near my apartment. I'd kept an eye on the dog for awhile, until one day I got up the nerve to offer to buy it from him. The man was happy to oblige. I took Bentley home that day- and the man was on the same corner the following morning, asking for change."

Ian nodded and scanned the hospital room, though I knew he must've been familiar with our surroundings by now.

"The nurses said you had a panic attack," he told me.

I nodded mutely.

"Does that happen often?"

Embarrassment gripped me as I debated my answer; I considered telling him it was none of his business- but Ian had spent the last two hours at my bedside, though I had no idea what prompted him.

"I used to. I take medication for them now. I just forgot to pack the bottle. I live in Sacramento."

Ian emitted a low whistle.

"That's quite a drive. What is that six hours from here?"

I nodded.

"I'm staying at a hotel over the weekend. My parents couldn't make it to the Memorial, but they'll be flying in later tonight to help me go through Madi's apartment."