“Better now.” She was very stiff, but her face looked more relaxed than before.
“You hungry? I can bring you some moong daal. My dad insisted that you need ginger and turmeric… for their healing properties.”
Marley blinked, looking at him. “Yeah, that sounds perfect.”
Nikhil nodded, then went downstairs and ladled some of the daal into a bowl. He cut up a lemon and squeezed it into the bowl and then sprinkled some cilantro leaves on top. He found a tray in the kitchen and placed the bowl, a napkin, and a spoon on it. He brought it upstairs and set it on the bed. “Shayne bought sandwich stuff, too, so let me know if you’re hungry again. We weren’t sure what you’d want to eat.”
She took a spoonful of daal. “This is delicious,” she said. “Thank your father for me.”
“Okay, but I made it.”
She looked up at him. “You made this?”
“Yeah, when I got here. I bought you an Instant Pot.”
“You cook.”
“I told you I cook, didn’t I?”
She shrugged, then winced from shrugging.
“Here, I’ll let you eat. Holler again if you need me. And if I don’t hear you, text me.” He made sure her phone was within reach.
She frowned. “You’re leaving?”
“Yeah… unless… you want company?”
She looked… sad. Or maybe in pain? But she didn’t say anything. He looked around the room. The bedroom had only one chair, a wicker thing near the dresser that held the TV, but there was a stack of clothes and sheets on it.
“Stay,” she said softly. “I’ll put on a cooking show.”
He sat next to her on the bed. It was soft, and the bedding was lush and silky. Posh. Like Marley herself.
They watched a baking reality show while she ate. She only managed to get through half the bowl before she said she was full. He took the dishes downstairs, and then came back. Her head was lying against the pillow, and her eyes were closed. She was resting.
“You’re staying, right?” she whispered.
Without saying anything, he slid in next to her on the bed.
“Thanks, Nikhil,” she whispered. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too, Mahreen.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Marley
In an upright position, with more pillows than an IKEA store, Marley was somehow, miraculously, able to get some sleep. But she woke at five a.m. in a world of pain. Like… So. Much. Pain. Her meds had clearly worn off. She needed to check her drains and get more pills, but the mere thought of getting up felt like a form of torture. She took deep breaths and tried not to feel sorry for herself. Maybe breathing exercises could take the edge off so she could get up.
Breathing exercises didn’t do shit. She clutched the side of her duvet as she choked back a sob. McQueen opened one eye, then closed it again. Marley felt so alone. She was usually fine being single, but right now she kind ofhatedbeing unpartnered. Shayne was right—“cat lady” was not a relationship status. If a person were here next to her, they could help her. They could distract her from the pain. They could get her pills and sit with her until they kicked in and—
“Marley, are you okay?” Nikhil was at her door. He must have heard her cry. Mortifying.
“Just… need painkillers.” Her voice was shaky. “And I have to empty my drains.” And she needed to pee, but she didn’t say that out loud.
Nikhil sprung into action and checked the medication chart. He handed her two of the good pills and a glass of water. She swallowed them. Even doing that hurt. She lay her head back on her pillow, eyes clenched shut.
“You should have called for me,” Nikhil said.
