Zoey sighed, pressing the button on the water dispenser as hot water filled her tumbler. She sniffled quietly, her cold getting worse. Wearing a mask to avoid spreading any germs around the office, she rubbed her temple as her headache throbbed. "I'll just take the afternoon off," she muttered, settling onto a tall chair and lowering her mask to sip from her tumbler. She pulled out her phone and scrolled through her social media, chuckling at a photo Harriet had tagged her in from their recent amusement park outing.
Hearing the door open, Zoey glanced over as a group of her co-workers entered the pantry, giving her a friendly wave before settling on the couch. She shrugged and continued scrolling, thinking about how many of them had been teasing her about dating Harriet, the owner's daughter. She tried to brush off the rumors, but she knew people talkedâespecially when a Pierce was involved.
"Hey, Zoey," one of her co-workers called, catching her attention. Zoey looked up, anticipating the inevitable question about Harriet. "So, how did you manage to win over the cold-hearted Pierce?"
Zoey was about to respond when a familiar voice interjected, "She didn't win me overâI won her instead. There's a difference." She turned, surprised, to see Harriet standing at the pantry entrance in her scrubs, a stethoscope draped over her shoulders. Her co-workers fell silent, shocked by Harriet's sudden appearance.
"What are you doing here?" Zoey blinked, almost as if she were hallucinating.
Harriet smirked, crossing the room and nodding to Zoey's co-workers before taking the seat beside her. "Didn't my suspension end today? Besides, being the owner's daughter has its perks," she said with a playful shrug.
"Right, right," Zoey murmured, quickly pulling her mask back over her nose.
Harriet raised an eyebrow, noticing the mask. "Jeez, so you're actually sick?" She reached over, feeling Zoey's forehead. "Why'd you even come to work if you're not feeling well?"
Zoey's nasal voice sounded muffled as she replied, "Harriet, spare me the lecture, please." She tried to smile through her tired eyes.
Harriet sighed, giving Zoey a soft pat on the head. "Riley called me, said you looked sick, so she was worried. Why didn't you tell me?"
Zoey glanced nervously over her shoulder, aware of her eavesdropping co-workers. "I'm fine; I was just going to take a half-day. Don't worry yourself about me."
Harriet tilted her head, turning to address Zoey's co-workers directly. "She's my priority, so of course I'd come to check on her," she said, then turned back to Zoey with a look that softened the edges of her voice.
Zoey chuckled nervously, nudging Harriet. "I can handle myself, you know."
Harriet nodded, placing a gentle hand on Zoey's head. "I know you can, but let me take care of you anyway," she said softly.
Zoey smirked, poking Harriet's side. "You're such a show-off, Doc," she muttered, rolling her eyes.
Harriet laughed, glancing up as if to gather herself. "Next time, let me know when you're sick. You got me worried," she said with a sigh.
Zoey nodded, looking up into Harriet's hazel eyes. "Sorry for making you worry," she said quietly, her voice a bit shaky. "When are your hazel eyes going to stop catching me off guard?" She leaned her arms on the table, resting her head on them.
"They won't," Harriet replied gently, her concern clear.
"Right," Zoey mumbled, catching Harriet's gaze. "Hey, when we're both free, want to go to a spa? Maybe we could get massages?"
Harriet nodded with a warm smile. "Sure, I actually have a membership at a good spa. Want to try it out?"
"Oh, and there's this Chinese place I've been dying to try. We could go there too," Zoey added with a chuckle.
Harriet laughed. "So, which one are we going toâspa or Chinese restaurant?"
Zoey's eyes started to close as she answered, "Both. Once I'm feeling better, of course."
Harriet watched her, concern deepening as she saw Zoey's eyelids droop. Without a second thought, she rose from her chair and gently scooped Zoey up in her arms.
"Harriet, what are youâ?" Zoey's eyes widened as Harriet held her bridal-style.
"Stay still; you're burning up," Harriet said firmly, ignoring the shocked looks from Zoey's co-workers as she carried her out of the pantry. Zoey began to protest, but exhaustion won out, and she let herself relax in Harriet's arms.
Harriet sat on the stool beside Zoey's hospital bed, her gaze locked on Zoey's pale, still form as an IV drip flowed into her hand. Harriet let out a weary sigh, crossing her arms tightly, a crease of worry furrowing her brow.
"How's her temperature?" Harriet asked the attending nurse, glancing at the thermometer.
"She's down to 38.9 degrees, Docâlower than when she was first admitted," the nurse replied. Harriet nodded, the slight improvement doing little to ease her concern. She straightened and glanced at Zoey's resting face.
"I'll just go change," she said, preparing to step away but pausing as a tug of hesitation held her back. Clenching her fist, Harriet chuckled softly to herself, taking her seat once more. "Actually, never mindâI'll just stay in case she wakes up."
The nurse smiled knowingly and nodded. Harriet thanked her as she left, then turned her attention fully back to Zoey. She brushed her fingers gently through Zoey's hair, her touch tender. Harriet's father had examined Zoey earlier, diagnosing fatigue and a flu compounded by electrolyte imbalance. "You're too stubborn for your own good," she murmured, smoothing a strand of hair from Zoey's forehead.
A soft groan escaped Zoey's lips, her eyes slowly fluttering open as she adjusted to the dim light. "Harriet?" she murmured, her voice groggy and her eyes heavy with exhaustion.
"I'm here, sweetheart," Harriet replied, a trace of relief in her voice as she stroked Zoey's head.
Zoey chuckled weakly, her eyelids drooping. "Since when did you become a family doctor? Last I checked, you were a heart surgeon."
Harriet sighed, shrugging lightly. "Since right now, apparently. I couldn't leave you here alone. My schedule's clear, so I'm staying," she added, her tone soft but firm.
Zoey tried to sit up, and Harriet quickly helped her, adjusting the pillows so she could lean back comfortably. "Thank you," Zoey mumbled, a faint smile gracing her lips. "But you really don't need to worry about me."
Harriet exhaled in frustration, crossing her arms. "You're too stubborn, Zoey. What am I to you, huh?"
Zoey met her gaze, a smirk tugging at her lips. "You're a Pierce, obviously."
Harriet shook her head, a wry smile playing at her lips. "And? I told youâyou're my priority. Are we really going to argue about this now?" Her voice softened, though her expression remained firm.
Zoey chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Why are you so grumpy, Doc?"
"Because you had me worried," Harriet said, leaning closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know you can handle yourself, but I want to take care of youâeven if you don't want me to." Her gaze softened as she added, "I don't want anything bad to happen to you."
For a moment, they held each other's gaze, the words hanging between them, unspoken but deeply felt.