The word had barely left Maxie's lips when a hand clamped around her arm from behind.
She gasped, too stunned to scream… her heart slamming against her ribs as she spun around, expecting a face she dreaded, but it was Tory.
Sweat clung to his forehead, his chest rising and falling like he'd been searching for her everywhere.
"Maxie," he breathed out, voice rough. "What are you doing out here? Why did you come outside alone?"
Maxie's body jolted like electricity shot through her.
She blinked rapidly, breath catching, panic still sharp in her voice.
"Ooh… Tory," she whispered, relief pouring out of her all at once.
"I… I didn't know you were already here."
He exhaled shakily, his grip loosening but still warm on her arm.
"I've been calling you since I got to the hospital," he said, eyes scanning her face. "You didn't pick. I panicked."
Maxie swallowed, voice still trembling. "I thought… someone needed me."
Tory frowned. "Who? What happened?"
But Maxie didn't answer.
