Page 61 of Love From the Ashes
“You need to lie down. I should call your doctor.”
“Please don’t. I’ll be fine. I’m already feeling a bit better, I promise.”
Reid stood quietly by the bed, intently scrutinizing me. “Fine, but if you feel worse, you need to tell me at once.”
“I will.”
“I’ll check on you in a little while.” Reid kissed my cheek and left the room, his shoes echoing in the hall.
I closed my eyes, trying to relax. It wasn’t long before the image of Nick came back to haunt me. Scared all over again, I grabbed a blanket from the closet and curled up in one of the chairs. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t get him or the things he’d said to me out of my mind. Chilled by the memories, I wrapped the blanket around my body and scrunched up in the chair.
Reid found me in the chair when he brought me dinner. “I thought you were sleeping. What happened?”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“Hopefully, you’ll be able to later. You still look pale.” Reid set a small tray down on the table next to me. “I brought you some meatloaf and mashed potatoes from dinner yesterday. I made a small salad to go with it.”
“Thank you. I am a little hungry.”
“Good. At least your appetite is coming back. I saw you pick at your food in the restaurant.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“There’s no reason for you to be sorry. All I want is for you to feel better. Maybe you should take a warm shower after you eat and try to lie down again since the shower might relax you. I need to go downstairs and clean up the kitchen.”
“I will if you promise to come back afterward. I don’t want to be alone.”
“Sofie, what’s going on with you? You’ve been acting odd since you spilled your water during lunch.”
“I don’t know. I’m tired, I guess. I want you to hold me right now, that’s all.”
“I’ll tell you what. I’m going to take care of the kitchen while you eat, and then I’ll come back. We’ll shower, curl up in bed, and call it an early night. How’s that?”
“I’d like that.”
“Now, eat your dinner. I’ll be back.” Reid kissed my forehead and went downstairs.
I took my time, eventually eating everything on my plate. Feeling a little better, I went into the bathroom to take a warm shower, hoping Reid was right and it would help me to relax. I stood under the stream of liquid warmth and closed my eyes, wishing I could magically wash my situation away. Nick was someone you stayed away from if you cared about your health and well-being, and I was terrified of him. On top of that, I had no guarantee he’d abide by anything he’d said since he was so calculating and sleazy. Suddenly feeling vulnerable as I stood naked in the shower, I quickly finished and curled up in bed. I needed Reid’s arms around me, and I wanted him to make it all disappear.
“Are you feeling better?” Reid said when he returned and sat on the edge of the bed.
“A little.” I wrapped my arms around his neck when he bent down to kiss me. I didn’t want to let go.
Reid gently loosened my grasp and peered at me. “You aren’t okay, are you?”
“No.”
“Something is really bothering you. What is it?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’m just feeling insecure, maybe a little scared.”
“About what? The baby?”
“I guess.” I shrugged my shoulder. “I just want you to hold me.”
“All right, let me take a quick shower, and then I’ll join you in bed.” Reid got up and disappeared through the doorway to the bathroom, rejoining me a short while later. He slid under the bedcovers and pulled me against his chest, holding me while I absorbed his warmth and comfort.
“Reid, tell me you love me,” I whispered as I listened to his gentle breathing.