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  Lea poked her head around the door into Ricco’s room. “You guys are still here,” she said in astonishment.

  After seeing the security guard still in attendance she had decided to check.

  “Our ride’s stuck in traffic.” Ricco, now back in his street clothes, sunglasses and baseball cap, sat on the bed, still looking pale and miserable. His friend Jon stood next to him, a hand on Ricco’s neck, lending both physical and emotional support. Lea thought this was sweet.

  When she had returned to the room earlier with the anti-emetics and found the two men cuddled up on the bed she had been touched by the close bond between them. None of the straight men she knew would support a friend like this, ill or not.

  But it had made her wonder. Who said these two were straight? Ricco’s sexual preferences didn’t matter to her one way or the other. Stereotypes about promiscuity and Hollywood pushed to the fore, but Lea shrugged them off. Whatever the story was, the two men were adorable together.

  Ricco still being here worried her, though. He should be resting at home by now, not sitting around waiting for transportation.

  “Ricco, are you sure you don’t want to spend the night upstairs?” she asked.

  He shook his head emphatically, wincing. “I hate hospitals. I can never sleep.”

  Well, that would be no good, then. "Can you hang on another fifteen minutes? I'll give you a lift."

  “You got that car, then.” Ricco gave her a small smile. “You sure, though? It’s a pain in the ass trekking all the way down there.”

  “Of course I’m sure. And I know where you live, so the fact that the GPS I ordered hasn’t arrived yet won’t matter.” To Jon, Lea indicated the wheelchair standing in a corner. “Can you help him sit in that? Hospital policy.”

  Jon nodded, regarding her with a mix of suspicion and gratitude. The vibe Lea got from him was strange. What, if anything, had Ricco had told his friend about them? Well, it looked like she was going to get to know Ricco’s handsome, grumpy friend a little better soon.

  While she got ready, signing her patients over to the next shift and packing supplies she would need for Ricco, Lea contemplated the unexpected developments. Seeing Ricco had been a shock. Her feelings of anger had dissipated when it transpired just how unwell he was. Focused on his treatment she had had no chance to dwell on anything other than Ricco’s immediate wellbeing. But now she was beginning to wonder where all of this was leading.

  She was glad that he had turned to her, which had surprised her after what had happened at her apartment. But Lea was apprehensive. He needed her as a doctor now. Would he want her as anything else once he was feeling better?

  “This isn’t posh like the cars you two are used to, I’m afraid.” Embarrassment gripped her as they arrived in the car park at her tiny pink Ford. The plush interior of the car Joanne had taken her home in flashed through her mind and she gave Jon an anxious glance. These guys were used to luxury.

  “Jon, did you hear that? She talks like Daniel, but I think I’m getting the hang of it.” Ricco grinned. He might even be winking behind the sunglasses, it was hard to tell. “Don’t be an idiot. The car’s cute. Very you.”

  “Thanks,” she said, frowning. “I guess.” She unlocked the rear passenger door. “Ricco, are you sure you want to go home? You’re ever so pale.”

  “Just tired,” he said, waving her concern away. “Don’t worry, doc, Jon got some puke bags from that nice nurse.”

  Jon helped Ricco out of the wheelchair. “Sure did. You won’t need them, though.”

  “I salute your optimism.” Ricco gripped the car door and gingerly clambered into the backseat. “Even if I can’t share it.”

  “Let’s get rid of that.” Lea pushed the wheelchair into the bay reserved for that purpose. Jon nodded his thanks, unsmiling. A hard nut to crack, that one.

  Jon climbed in beside Ricco. He looked uncomfortable in the cramped space but focused his attention on getting Ricco buckled in. Lea hid a smile. He could pretend he was a scowly bastard all he liked. His actions spoke louder than words.

  In the rearview mirror, Lea watched Jon put his arm around Ricco, who leaned into him with a sigh. Jon himself wasn't buckled in but Lea let it slide. She didn't want to draw that scowl out again.

  “You remember the way home, doc?” Ricco asked.

  “Of course I do,” she replied. “I’ve never had to drive there, though.”

  “Uhoh… Jon, hang on to something,” Ricco teased. “Lea’s used to driving in Queens. Better hope the cops don’t stop us.”

  “Funny, I’m sure.” She grinned. Jon still didn’t crack a smile. He frowned at Ricco.

  “How did you two meet?” He didn’t sound very friendly.

  “Always so suspicious,” Ricco sighed, and added to Lea, “He’s very protective of me, you see?”

  “I’ve noticed,” Lea said.

  “The doc used to live in my building,” he explained to Jon. “Now she’s gone over to the dark side, also known as Queens, but we mustn’t hold that against her” Ricco groaned, lowering his head. Jon reached for the sick bags.

  “You gonna puke?”

  “Not right now.” Ricco breathed through it, his shoulders tensing.

  “Be quiet now and rest, okay?” Jon’s scowl softened as he pushed some curls behind Ricco’s ear. He pulled Ricco closer and placed a gentle kiss on the side of his head. Lea wondered again what the history was with those two.

  They drove on in silence, Lea concentrating on the road. The drive only took about twenty minutes. Much more troublesome was finding a parking space.

  “Anywhere will do,” Ricco said, his voice terse. “If you get towed I’ll pay your fine.”

  “But then I’ll be without a car,” Lea pointed out, praying for a miracle.

  “True…ugh, shit.” He exhaled shakily, clearly still in pain. With his shoulders drawn up, he was a picture of misery.

  Fuck it. Lea parked in the next available space, even though it was a loading bay for a Chinese print shop. The store’s windows were dark, so maybe she’d be lucky.

  Jon helped Ricco out of the car while Lea got her kit from the trunk.

  “Where are your keys, baby?” Jon asked.

  Ricco tried to dig them out from his pocket but in the end, Jon had to help. Lea followed the two men into the lobby and pressed the button for the elevator.

  They didn’t speak. Ricco’s breath came in small, panicky, painful sounding gasps as he fought against the nausea. He was clinging hard to Jon. Lea held out a hand. “Give me the key. I’ll open the door, you take him through.”

  Jon dropped the keys into her hand without comment. He still didn’t look happy that she was there. Well, never mind that. They would have to leave aside any animosity and concentrate on the task at hand.

  Once they were all inside Lea followed the two men into the master bedroom.

  Ricco crouched in the bathroom. Jon was by his side, rubbing his back.

  “Once he can move, get him into bed,” Lea said. “I brought more anti-emetics and IV pain meds. One dose often isn’t enough.”

  “Thanks.” Jon looked at her with genuine gratitude for the first time. Seeing the worry for Ricco on his face, Lea’s heart softened.

  “No problem.” She went to close the drapes.

  They got Ricco settled in the darkened room. Jon went to get a basin from the kitchen while Lea sat on the bed. “Give me your arm.” Ricco obliged. She tied a tourniquet around his arm. “I also brought some saline solution. You’re pretty dehydrated.”

  “Always so thorough, doc.” Ricco smiled weakly. He patted her arm with his free hand, causing her goosebumps. “Thanks, for everything. Especially after I was such a dick.”

  “You weren’t a dick at all,” she replied. “But let’s park all that for now, and concentrate on making you feel better.”

  “Hmmm.” He closed his eyes and she set to work. By the time the drugs were running, he’d fallen asleep. Lea put away her things.
When she got up, Jon stood by the door, regarding her intently. She gave him a tentative smile, and this time he returned it.

  “Let him sleep,” Lea mouthed, and Jon nodded. He led the way to the living room.

  “Are you staying with him?” Lea asked.

  “Of course.” He motioned at the kitchen. “Coffee?”

  “Yeah, thanks. Americano, white. I mean… with milk. It’s good that you can stay. He shouldn’t be alone.”

  “You got somewhere to be?” he asked, frowning again.

  “I can stay for a few hours,” she said. “But I’m on call tonight.”

  Jon opened his mouth, then closed it again. “You got to work soon yet you’re spending your time off here instead of getting some shut-eye?” he asked at last.

  "It's all right. On-call usually means I'll get some sleep in the ready room," she explained. There was something that had been bugging her. "Why was he so adamant not to stay at Bellevue?"

  “If it came out that he gets these migraines, his fans would destroy the internet with the gossip.” Jon’s mouth was a thin line. “He really doesn’t need that. It’s a miracle nobody recognized him today.” He handed her a mug, and they went into the living room.

  Lea’s eyes fell onto the spiral staircase and she remembered the night Ricco had taken photos of her up on the roof. She smiled to herself.

  Jon sat opposite her. He gazed into his coffee for a while. “I got to apologize,” he said at last. “I blocked you from the moment I saw you. Knee jerk reaction… well, jerk reaction, anyway.”

  Lea stopped him with a shake of her head. “I get it. You and Ricco are close. And with the lives you lead, the crazy fans, no wonder you’re protective of each other. Especially since he’s ill.”

  “Has he told you about the fans?” Jon asked, surprised, almost wary. “About what’s been going on?”

  “About the one that cut him, yeah. I’ve got the feeling there was more?”

  “There is.” Jon’s face was dark. “Look, it’s not my story to share. He’ll tell you when he’s ready. Just don’t pester him, okay? And don’t blame him for it.”

  Lea frowned. “Blame him for what?”

  Jon hesitated, then said, “For the way it’s affected him.”

  Lea didn’t know what to say to that. She sipped her coffee. But Jon spoke again. “How well do you know each other?”

  “Hardly at all,” she replied. “When I first moved to New York I was just down the hall here for a couple of months. I helped him when his head was playing up last time. We went to an exhibition together, then he helped me move.”

  Jon laughed. It suited his face much better. Laugh lines appeared around his eyes and his dark brows unknitted. “Did he now? Yeah, he’s sweet like that, is Ricco.”

  “Very sweet,” she agreed. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like him.”

  Jon’s face was serious again, but he didn’t look unfriendly now, just concerned. “Just don’t break his heart, you hear?”

  Many things went through Lea's head. She considered pretending she had no idea what Jon was talking about. But instead, she just held his gaze and said, "I never would."

  Ricco appeared asleep when Lea went to check on him, but when she approached the bed he opened his eyes. "Hey, doc." He lifted his left arm. "You unplugged me already. I must've been out of it, I didn't notice a thing."

  “I’m good like that.” Lea smiled. “How’re you feeling?” She sat on the bed and felt for his pulse.

  “Much better,” he said. “Tired though.”

  "You can go back to sleep in a minute. I just wanted to check in before I go."

  “D’you have to go?” he asked, crestfallen.

  “I’m afraid so. I’m on call tonight.”

  Ricco’s eyes widened. “You should’ve said! I kept you from your rest.”

  “Of course you didn’t, silly.” She pushed some strands of hair off his forehead, remembering the same gesture performed by Jon.

  Ricco’s frown turned into a contented smile, then an impish grin. He patted the bed beside him. “Why do I only ever get you in here when I’m sick?”

  Lea gave him a wink. “You forgot again. Wine and dine first.”

  “Or Netflix and chill, right?” His retort brought back all the butterflies.

  “We’ll see,” she said. “You get better first, okay? Rest and relaxation for a while. Doctor’s orders.”

  Ricco nodded. “It’ll all have to wait until after the holidays, anyway. Ciaran and I are off to my mom’s in a few days. Hey, are you going home for Christmas?”

  “I have nobody left that I care to visit,” she replied. “But I’m having people round for a meal. You ever heard of that Humans of New York guy?”

  Ricco nodded. “Course I have. He’s a great photographer, and the stories are fascinating.”

  "Yeah, they are," Lea agreed. "He does this thing where he hooks up people with each other who are alone in the city for the holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and so on. I went to this Japanese couple's house for Thanksgiving, it was great. And this time I'm hosting the meal."

  “Wow, sounds like fun.” He sounded wistful. “Wish I could come.”

  Lea scoffed. "No, you don't. You got your family."

  Ricco’s face grew dark. Oh no, not another minefield. But with an effort, he smoothed his expression and said, "You're hosting dinner at New Year's, too?"

  Lea shook her head. “I’ve been invited to a colleague’s house on the Upper East Side. She’s a psychiatrist, and Jewish, so she doesn’t do Christmas. But she’s having a small New Year’s Eve do. I don’t suppose… she did say I could bring a plus one?”

  “I’m sorry.” Ricco seemed genuinely disappointed. “I promised Ciaran he could bring his friends here. That way I can keep an eye on things, and still be the cool dad.” He grimaced. “He’s fifteen, cool is really hard at the moment.”

  “Oh yes, of course.” Lea tried not to let her disappointment show.

  “Looks like I won’t see you now until the new year,” he said. “But we still gotta go to Harlem for the jazz. I’ll call you in January, okay?”

  “Sounds good! I’m looking forward to the jazz. Even though I have no idea what to expect.” She patted his arm. “Now, rest. And call me if you need anything. And make an appointment with the new neurologist. I left his number on your kitchen counter. He’s really good, and he’s based at Bellevue.”

  “Will do, doc,” he said. “Thanks for everything, you’re so nice.”

  He sounded as if he were surprised that she should be, and her heart went out to him. There had to be people in Ricco’s life who wanted to make him happy? Jon definitely cared about him, but he seemed to be the exception. “Any time. Sleep now.”

  Ricco took her hand and clung on for a moment. He gave her a long look, then brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them. “Will do, babe. See you next year.”

  8

  Lea was apprehensive about spending Christmas with strangers. She wasn't a naturally social person and enjoyed her own company. Being with a boyfriend, or a close friend in a one-to-one situation was one thing, but meeting groups was stressful. She enjoyed interacting with her patients. But there it was all work. She didn't have to talk about herself. Her ex used to call her an extroverted introvert, and there was something to that description. She could do the socializing, but it was never easy.

  But New York was a new chapter in her life, and Lea wanted to meet new people. Thanksgiving had been great and very relaxed. It had given her the idea to offer to host the Christmas dinner in her new apartment.

  And the evening was a success. Two Puerto Rican students and a woman from Italy came to her place. They cooked, then ate together. There was wine, and they played games and even exchanged token presents. They also sang some Christmas carols, amongst much laughter. All in all, a really good night.

  After the holiday, though, things weren’t going to plan. She’d stayed home for a couple of days, and quite e
njoyed the break. But two days before New Year’s Eve, she had a call from her friend colleague Sam, who had invited her for New Year’s Eve, had the flu, and had called to cancel. Lea put the phone down, disappointed. Even to Lea, who on most days could take or leave the company of others, the thought of spending her first New Year’s in the city on her own felt depressing.

  As she sat gazing at nothing, her eyes fell on a last, leftover Christmas present under the coffee table. She picked it up with a smile. It was a satire book on British versus American English, and she had bought it on the spur of a moment from a bookstall at the hospital. Ricco would find it amusing.

  Lea was looking forward to their next meeting. And thinking of Ricco reminded her of something else. She picked up her phone and flicked through her texts, looking for one from earlier in the day.

  Hey lodger. Wanna come over on NYE? Got a few friends coming, nothing big. Thought you’d fancy a trip to proper New York. Lemme know, Carmine

  Rolling her eyes at the Queens jibe Lea typed. Thanks for the invite. Will be there.

  It might be weird, being in the same building as Ricco for an entire evening but unable to see him. He would be busy with his son and the other teenagers. But going to Carmine’s was still better than being alone on New Year’s Eve.

  “Hey, welcome,” Carmine boomed. “Thought you weren’t gonna show at all!”

  Lea returned his hug but rolled her eyes while he couldn't see her. She had been at his apartment for nearly an hour, but he had been so busy swanning through the crowds she had had a hard time even catching a glimpse of him in the bustle. Carmine's family owned a dozen restaurants across the state, and he was in charge of the ones in the city. Mostly, though, he enjoyed partying. His 'few friends, nothing big' had turned into about forty people. How they fit into the apartment was a mystery. Even Ricco's penthouse would've seemed cramped.

  Lea was grateful that she no longer lived here. People were already drunk, and there would be no getting to sleep for anyone before daybreak here. “Good to see you,” she said to Carmine. “How have you been?”