Her lashes lift a crack, and she gives a quick nod. Undressing her isn’t easy, with her body nearly deadweight and horizontal, but finally I get her clothes off and scoop her up, one arm behind her and one under her legs. She snuggles into me, looping both arms around my neck, and I press my lips to her scorching hot forehead. Heat can be felt everywhere my bare skin touches.
“I feel like…” She trails off. “I feel like Lois.”
“Shh. You’re delirious.”
“You’re Superman and I’m Lois Lane.”
Shaking my head and chuckling, I deposit her into the water. Her head falls back against the edge of the tub, eyes peeled open to half slits. Jo watches as I kneel and grab the washcloth. I dip it into the water, slowly moving it from her cheek, down her neck to her shoulder. She shudders under my touch, and I do the same on the other side. The bathroom is silent save for the trickle of water and Jo’s labored breathing.
“Somedays…” she whispers lazily. “Somedays I think I dreamed you up. Like the night we met, my brain conjured you and it took this long for that dream to repeat.” She grins and pokes me on the arm. “You’re my recurring dream, Tyler.”
Her words make me smile. “No, Jo. I’m real. I’m here as long as you’ll have me.”
Jo’s eyes flutter closed again. “I like that,” she whispers, barely audible.
I run the wash cloth over her body until the water turns cool and I think her fever might have lowered. Then I help Jo stand, her legs unsteady beneath her. Bracing her hands on my shoulders, I towel her off with care, wrapping it around her body when she’s dry and scoop her up in my arms again.
Her body curls against my chest and for a brief second I rest my cheek against her damp curls, holding her close like she’s everything to me. Every single fucking thing to me.
After setting her on the edge of her bed, I grab a pair of panties and a T-shirt, and make quick work of dressing her. Jo sighs, sinking back into the mattress, head falling against her pillow. Climbing in next to her, I wrap an arm around her waist to draw her close against my chest.
Mere seconds from sleep, Jo’s voice sounds in the stillness.
“Tyler?”
“Hmm?” I hum into the dark.
“I could fall in love with you so easily. If only I’d let myself. Might already be there.”
And then…silence. Soft snores follow, like the words never left her mouth.
But they did. And now they’re seared into me, a brand on my heart. I stare at the ceiling, wide awake, heart thundering in my chest.
If only she knew…
I’ve been there far longer than she realizes.
“Body aches, still here.” I lift a hand to my forehead. “Fever, questionable.” I’ll have to find my thermometer to double check that. Raising on an elbow, I find one lying on my nightstand, along with a bottle of Gatorade and Tylenol.
Abby must have taken care of me last night. Goodness, that sweet girl.
My eyes land on a towel on my bedroom floor, and I purse my lips. I don’t remember taking a bath. Good grief, I hope I didn’t ask Abby to help with that, too. She’ll be scarred for life.
Then, from somewhere in my house, I hear him. Tyler’s voice, along with—is that Lisa? Grappling around in my covers for my phone, I turn it over to see it’s Saturday evening. Holy shit, did I sleep nearly twenty-four hours?
I hear the front door shut and footsteps sound down the hall before my door creaks open.
“Hoped you’d be awake.” Tyler enters carrying a bowl of something that smells delectable and a glass of an unknown beverage. “Made you something. My mom’s recipe.”
Sitting up to rest against my headboard, I take the proffered bowl, breathing in the aroma. Tyler has made chicken noodle soup from scratch, and it smells so good Icould kiss him.
Bringing the spoon to my lips, I audibly moan when the first bite hits my tongue. It’s delicious with the perfect amount of rosemary and thyme. I take another bite, and he sits on the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping under his weight.
“Lisa came to get the kids. She said it might minimize the spread if you’re contagious.”
“But they’ve already been around me. And now she might catch it.”
Tyler shrugs. “I told her that but she wasn’t hearing it. She said better her than them, what with school and Jay’s first game coming up. I think she just wanted to help out. How do you feel?”
