Larissa's POV
Harlan burst through the hospital doors sometime around midday, his shirt wrinkled and hair tousled from sleep. His eyes were wild with panic as he spotted Joe and me in the waiting room, clearly having rushed straight from his dorm the moment he received Joe's frantic phone call.
"God, I'm so sorry," he gasped, dropping his worn backpack beside the plastic chairs. "Traffic was insane, and my phone died halfway here."
I rose from my seat and pulled him into a fierce embrace. The familiar scent of his cologne mixed with morning coffee grounded me in a way I desperately needed. "You're here. That's what counts," I murmured against his shoulder.
Harlan held me tightly before stepping back to study my face. "You look terrible, Rissa. When's the last time you slept?"
"Gee, thanks for the pep talk," I replied, though my smile took the sting out of my words. "I've been here since dawn."
"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I just meant you look exhausted."
