“When will my face get better?” asks Duncan.
“The medicine should help the swelling go down within a few hours, but the symptoms might persist for a couple of weeks. If the Benadryl controls the swelling, I think we can get you out of here and back to your friends by tonight.”
Duncan wilts. “I have to stay here all day? I’ll miss the color war.”
Hannah gives him a sympathetic look. “I know, but I don’t want you running around in the heat and sun until we get the swelling down.”
Duncan looks at me with pleading eyes. “Gage?”
I don’t want him out in the heat right now either, but it’s a bummer for him to have to miss the color war. I’d volunteer to stay with him here today, but I can’t leave the other boys, even with Jayden on duty.
“I’ll come hang out with you here when I can, and what if I send my friend Olivia to see you, too? Remember, from dinner the other night? And she’s the counselor who helps with the boats?”
Duncan nods miserably. I pull out my phone and text Olivia a heads-up. I’ll stop by her cabin before breakfast.
Hannah has Duncan drink a small cup of liquid Benadryl and applies a thick, goopy cream to his face, especially around the mosquito bite.
When she finishes, he lies down on the cot and extends his hand to me. “You’re not leaving now, are you?”
I take his hand and check my phone. I still have time before I need to get the rest of the boys up and ready for the day. “No, I’m staying for a little while longer.”
His expression relaxes, and he closes his eyes. I sit with him until I’m sure he’s asleep, and then I let go of his hand. I stand and stretch.
Hannah walks back into the room. She changed out of her robe and into her clothes for the day.
“He’s asleep,” I tell her.
“The Benadryl will make him drowsy. I talked to his mother on the phone, and she confirmed he’s had a reaction like this once before, when he was a toddler.”
“Thanks,” I say. I rub my eyes, weary not only from waking up too early, but also from the emotional stress of the last couple of hours. I wish there was more I could do to make Duncan comfortable.
“Duncan’s going to be fine, Gage,” Hannah says, as if reading my mind. She rests a hand on my shoulder. “It’s a little allergic reaction. He’ll feel up to joining his friends again tomorrow.”
I blink against the threatening tears and summon a smile. “I know. Thank you.” I point toward the door. “I need to get back to my cabin, but I’ll come check on him throughout the day. Olivia will probably also stop by.”
She smiles at me. “We’ll see you later, then.”
I step out the door of the infirmary and almost bump into Olivia. She’s dressed in the shorts and oversized T-shirt she wears as pajamas, her hair pulled back in a messy bun.
Without speaking, she wraps her arms around me, pressing her head against my chest. I return the squeeze, and we stand in the hug for several minutes. I breathe in the rosemary and mint of her shampoo, and my pulse slows. My worried thoughts quiet down.
“Good morning,” I say finally, brushing a kiss against her forehead.
“Morning. How’s Duncan?” She leans back to see my face.
I take a breath. “Good. He had an allergic reaction to a mosquito bite. Hannah gave him some medicine, and he’s sleeping now.”
Olivia brings her hand up to my face to brush away a strand of hair. “And how are you?”
I meet her eyes. “I’ve been better.”
Her lips form a small smile. “I figured.”
“I was scared,” I admit. “I didn’t know what was wrong with him, but his whole face was swollen. I wanted him to be okay.”
“I know.” Her hand against my cheek, she smooths a thumb over my stubble. “You’ll make a great dad someday, Gage.”
And oh man, I am gone for this woman, because even with everything else going on, my first thought isI don’t want it unless it’s with you.
