Page 20 of SaaS & Class

“Wha..?” I started.

“We can discuss it on Friday if it’s still an issue.”

Linden looked between us, confused.

“Ok…” I replied weakly.

“I’ll let Taal know I sent you back to the hotel,” Linden said.

“Thank you.” I faced Wes. “Thank you for calling a car for me.”

He nodded. “You’re welcome.”

They walked off, Linden casting one last glance at me before they disappeared into the crowd.

I made sure that my phone and wallet were both in my pockets, then headed out. As promised, a black sedan with the logo Wes had shown me was waiting in front. And a few minutes later, the driver had dropped me off.

It was a couple hours later, and my room was dark when Taal used the key I’d given him to enter.

He didn’t ask if I was awake; he knew I was. And I knew he knew.

I’d managed to twist the bedcovers as I tossed them off when I was too hot, then pulled them over myself again when I was immediately cold. Taal smelled of scent-neutralizing soap as he straightened my covers, climbed into bed beside me, and pulled me against him—telling me that he’d washed away the scents of the party before coming to me.

“Linden asked,” he murmured as he tucked me against his chest.

“What did you tell him?”

“The truth.”

A stone formed in the pit of my stomach. “What did he say?”

“He asked why you haven’t requested sick leave.”

“What did you say?”

He chuckled. “I asked him what good it would do. Most sicknesses, the solution is to stay in bed. But that just prolongs this. You’re not going to meet him if you’re not around people.”

“To think they were always telling us that they wanted us to use our sick days if we’re sick… and I get the one thing where staying home is a bad idea.”

“They’re probably talking about it on the plane right now. He wasn’t happy that you were working while sick, but he also understood that this isn’t a normal circumstance.”

“How long until we get a notification from HR regarding fate-sickness and PTO?” I asked.

“A month, maybe two,” he replied, smile in his voice.

“I think it does complicate things that it’s usually because of people fighting it. Not like this where I don’t even know who he is.”

“And if somebody’s fighting fate, they probably want to stay home.”

I nodded against him. “I don’t think there’s a good answer.”

“Probably not,” he murmured. “Now, get some rest. I’m beat.”

I swallowed. “You don’t have to leave. I trust you.”

“Really? You’re not worried about your mate smelling me on you when you finally meet?”

I yawned, Taal’s presence finally calming my body. “You’re one of my best friends. And it’s not like I’m taking your knot. I think he’ll understand.”