Page 75 of That First Date
“Nope. Don’t even try it. Something is wrong, and I can’t let you leave here knowing that you have no one to take care of you.”
“Kali might be home.”
“I’m not taking any risks with you, Princess.”
“Marc,” I blow out his name with a sigh of resignation. I cross my arms over my knees and rest my head down on them. Defeated. Feeling more ill than I did three minutes ago.
Staying here is a horrible idea.
But the thought of standing up to walk out of here sounds even worse.
Sobs are begging to rack my chest, and for the first time in as long as I can remember, I break down in front of someone other than my best friends.
“I hate feeling like this,” I cry. “Why does this have to happen to me right now? I feel so terrible and so gross and so—”
“I got you, Avery,” he cuts me off when his arms are wrapped around me.
My body warms with the comfort of having a man take care of me. Not just any man,thisman. I lean into his chest, sobbing harder as every emotion runs through my body.
Next thing I know, I’m hurling into the toilet.
Marc never leaves my side.
Showing me an entire new side of him that is awakening every feeling I didn’t know I could have for another person.
The light shining in from the living room windows wakes me from my half-assed attempt at sleep.
I really need to put some curtains in the living room.
I swing my legs off the side of the couch and groan as my bones snap in every part of my body it can. If you want to feel really old, sleep on a firm couch. It’s enough to break your back.
I think I slept all of five minutes.
Avery ended up extremely sick all night. I even had to call my sister, Emiline to see if she should go to the emergency room or not. The consensus was that it had to be some sort of food poisoning.
When she’s better, I’ll have to remember to give her shit for how the green baby food looking fruit damn near took her out. Even though it was likely the chicken she had in hers, since I had the beef and didn’t get sick.
Fred took a midnight trip to the store for me for some electrolytes and crackers for when she’s ready to start eating again.
I really owe that man a raise.
Another mental note.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt wanted… needed by someone else before.
This was the most vulnerable state I’ve ever seen Avery in, and it made me see her in a whole new light. Behind that rough, independent exterior is a woman who will break down in a time of need. The way her body shook with sobs after the first few times she got sick and how she melted into me when I held her, told me that she needed me right then and there.
I wasn’t planning on going anywhere.
I shuffle down the hall to creep into the room to see how she’s doing. It wasn’t until around four in the morning that she finally stopped getting sick.
My heart cracks behind my ribcage when I see her curled up in my bed.
My bed.
Her body looks even smaller tucked under the covers, right in the middle of the massive king size bed. She’s wearing nothing but my oversized t-shirt I had put on her, andfuck, if that doesn’t make my heartbeat faster. Despite being pale and weak, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve been this close to in a while. Watching her open mouth breathe, hearing her little snores come out of her is the cutest thing. I can’t help the smile that crosses my face.
I close the door and make my way to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee when my phone vibrates in my pocket.