Fernando - Bad Boy Love (Bad Boy Love Series Book 1) by Jessica Gray Page A

visited a girl in the hospital before. Am I supposed to bring her something? And if so, what?
    Not coming up with an answer, he called Amada. “Hey, sis. I’m going to the hospital to visit a friend. Should I take her something?”
    “A friend? You mean as in girlfriend?” Amada answered, but he didn’t have time for her inquisition.
    “Maybe. But can you please answer my questions first?”
    “If there’s the slightest romantic interest from your side, then, of course you should take her something.”
    “Okay. What?”
    “Well, flowers are a definite, but to really impress her, you should also bring some sweets. Fancy chocolates always work well.”
    He nodded. “Okay, I can do that. Flowers and chocolates. Thanks, sis.”
    “No problem. When will I get the detailed gossip?”
    “Knowing my nosy sister,” he smirked, “as soon as I walk in the door tonight.” He hung up on her laughter.
    He bought the gifts, then hopped on the bus, and twenty minutes later stood in front of the hospital. Right now, it didn’t seem like such a good idea anymore. Holding onto the flowers in his hand, he stepped through the sliding door and headed to the receptionist encased in a glass booth.
    “Gwen Cowen, please.”
    “Are you a relative?” the receptionist asked pleasantly enough.
    “No, a friend.”
    “I’m sorry, due to HIPPA laws, I’m only able to provide patient information to…”
    “Fernando?”
    He turned to see an attractive young woman with auburn hair and blue eyes staring at him. “Did you just call my name?”
    She nodded. “Yes. You’re Fernando Garcia, right?”
    He bristled, suspicion tightening his skin. “I am. Who are you?”
    “Vivian.”
    Fernando didn’t know anyone named Vivian. At least, not that he could recall. “Do I know you?”
    She laughed. “No.” She gave him a glance over, and he fidgeted, unsure of how to act. “Why are you here?”
    “Uhm...well, I’m here to visit a friend. She was in a car accident.”
    “Gwen?” Her eyes observed him with more scrutiny than any police officer or judge had ever done.
    “H-How do you know?” he stuttered, feeling like an insect under a microscope.
    “She’s my best friend.”
    Relief washed over him, then he grew excited at the prospect of some answers. “Is she okay? She wasn’t at work today, and the receptionist wouldn’t tell me why…”
    Vivian’s expression softened. “Considering the circumstances, she’s fine.”
    He exhaled a harsh breath of relief and expected the interrogation to be over, but Vivian took a step toward him, eyebrows raised, her blue eyes boring into him. “Mind if I ask about your intentions with Gwen?”
    That woman had guts. He hid an amused smile. “Are you trying to protect her honor?”
    “Yep. Now answer my question.”
    “How about this?” he gestured toward the cafeteria on the other side of the entrance hall. “We go sit over there, and I’ll answer your questions. And when you’re satisfied with my answers, you tell me her room number. Deal?”
    Vivian grinned. “You’ll answer all of my questions?”
    “I didn’t say all, but I’ll answer some of them.”
    “Good enough. Follow me, I need caffeine.”
    He followed her to the hospital cafeteria where she ordered a pot of coffee. Not a cup, an entire pot. Once she’d doctored it with cream, sugar, and a fancy flavoring she pulled from her purse, she started grilling him.
    “So, you and Gwen? You two like each other?”
    “You could say that, but she has to stay away from me. She is – no was – my probation officer.”
    “What crime did you commit?”
    “Armed robbery.” It sounded awful, and he expected her to at least widen her eyes, but nothing. She already knows the whole story and just wants to test me. Her next question confirmed his suspicion.
    “You’re part of a gang?”
    “I was. I’ve changed. Am changing.”
    She finally showed a sign of surprise, her face softening a little. “And how’s that