Chapter 2090
The manager blinked, surprised, then nodded as comprehension set in.
"Of course. With everyone else heading home, we'll be grateful for the help, and you'll pocket the overtime," he said.
Magnus inclined his head. "Thanks."
On his way back to the floor, Magnus mapped out a strategy. If he worked nights,
he could ride back with Denise during the day, visit her parents, and still chip away at his debts.
With more money, he could also prepare more gifts for Denise's parents.
Subsequently, he worked harder than ever.
That evening, the supervisor released the pair ahead of schedule.
Denise and Magnus caught a rickety city bus bound for the hospital, the sunset glinting off its dusty windows.
Magnus balanced bulging bags of fruit and tonics on his knees, palms slick with nervous sweat.
"Really, you didn't have to buy so much," Denise said with a small laugh. "My parents aren't well. Some of that fruit is off-limits for them."
"I'm playing the part of your boyfriend, remember? Proper etiquette matters. If I'm going to lie, I might as well lie convincingly so your parents can rest easy," Magnus answered.
"All right," she sighed. "How much did all this set you back? I'll pay you."
Magnus waved the concern away. "Forget it. We're friends. Don't make this transactional. Think of them as my first gifts to Mr. and Mrs. Laney."
Hearing that, Denise let the matter drop, warmth blooming in her chest.
Moments later, the bus hissed to a stop outside the hospital's main entrance, its neon sign flickering against the early evening gloom.
The moment Denise stepped out of the car, a blade of winter air slashed across her cheeks. It was the kind of cold that stung like pins pressed straight into the skin, forcing her eyes to narrow against the gust.
Magnus hurried after her, shoulders hunched inside his coat. His teeth knocked together as he managed a shaky laugh. "It's freezing. Let's get inside before I turn into a statue."
The tremor in his voice was real, but the chill in his bones owed less to the weather than to the storm of nerves he carried.
"Is it really that cold?" Denise asked, turning just enough for the street lamp to catch the teasing gleam in her eyes.
She noticed he was wrapped in layers-wool scarf, quilted jacket, gloves—yet still shivering like a leaf.
Magnus nodded hard. "Yeah. Absolutely Arctic."
In fact, he was simply reluctant to admit that he was shivering from nervousness instead of cold.
"Come on. Once we reach the hospital lobby, the air-conditioning will feel tropical by comparison," she said, tugging him toward the revolving doors.
"All right," he muttered, following close behind. With every step down the polished corridor, the heat in his face rose until it eclipsed the supposed frost outside.
Magnus had dated his share of women, but this was the first time he would stand eye to eye with a girlfriend's parents. The thought alone was enough to unrave every rehearsed greeting he'd prepared.
All the way to the ward, he kept rewriting his opening line. Should I call them Mr.
and Mrs. Laney? Offer to shake hands first? Compliment their health?
As things turned out, his anxiety was spectacularly misplaced.
The moment they stepped into the private room, both parents were already upright, hospital gowns. replaced by casual sweaters, lit with expectant joy as though Christmas had walked through the door.
"You must be Magnus, yes?" the mother asked, her smile warm enough to thaw any icicle still clinging to him.
Magnus nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, ma'am. Sir. It's an honor to meet you." His voice came out steady, polite, almost boyish.
Handsome as ever, but with manners turned up to full volume, he suddenly looked less like a man and more like an earnest student waiting for a report card.
He thrust a gift bag toward them, nearly dropping it in his haste. "I brought some fruit and a few
supplements. They're nothing
extravagant. Please don't think
anything special. The words
tumbled out in a rush, each syllable kneaded with nervous sincerity.
The couple exchanged delighted glances. A courteous, thoughtful future son-in-
law what was there to dislike?
"Of course, we don't mind." Calliope laughed. "Your being here is more than enough. All these packages, my goodness, you'll spoil us."
"Exactly," Brycen chimed in, nodding so enthusiastically his glasses slid down his nose. "No need to spend a fortune on us."
He clasped Magnus' elbow and steered him to the nearest chair. "Come, sit. Rest those legs."
In their excitement, both parents seemed to forget their own daughter was still standing nearby.
Denise crossed her arms, half amused, half aggrieved. "Seriously, Mom, Dad. Your only child's been here ten minutes and you haven't even said hello.”
Brycen waved her complaint away with playful scorn. "You visit every day, sweetheart. Magnus is our guest of honor."
"Exactly," Calliope added, eyes twinkling. "Let the young man feel welcome."
Denise opened her mouth, found no suitable comeback, and settled for an exaggerated eye-roll that made Magnus chuckle.
She claimed a seat beside him and softened. “All jokes aside, how are you both feeling today?"