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“Okay,” he says, frowning. “Why do you need that?”
“I sometimes faint and the socks help. It’s not always, but I have to be careful not to stand for long periods of time or get overheated.”
“I know this sounds silly, but I swear I just saw something about this on a video online. I was doom scrolling last night,” he mutters. “It’s called…postural something.”
“POTS for short,” I say with a nod. Arran’s arm moves around my shoulders as he pulls me out of the way of a very tall man with a dog that isn’t interested in moving to the side. “It’s better than it has been.”
“What helped?” he asks.
“Really good doctors, having a baby, and a little luck,” I say, shrugging. “There’s a lot of body heat at concerts and such. I carry a fan with me at all times. Sometimes, I just need a little cool air to perk me up.”
“Noted. Why do I feel as if you were worried about telling me this?”
“This is the tip of the iceberg. I have good and bad days,” I explain.
“So does everyone else,” he snorts. “I’m not rainbow and sunshine before coffee, Isla. You have things you do to manage it. If I can do something to help while we’re out together, I want to know.”
“Did you notice when I leaned into you?” I ask.
“Yeah?”
“You helped me by holding me up.”
His lips spread into a wide grin and he nods. “That’s not hard at all. I like holding you. Are you free Monday for lunch?”
“You want to see me again?” I ask, blinking slowly.
“Did you think you were going to scare me off?” he asks. “It would take a lot more than a fainting spell to do that. I know it’s more involved than that, and I plan to do some research. I never want to plan a date that’s going to not be fun. No hikes.”
“At least not when it’s really warm out,” I say. “Please don’t invite me to go running with you.”
I’ve seen him jogging while I get coffee here and there, and it gives me some eye candy with my caffeine jolt.
“No running for you,” he agrees. “You walk a lot though, Isla.”
“My legs aren’t broken,” I laugh. “I just move at a slower pace.”
“Nothing wrong with that. Can I walk you to the usual spot?”
Three blocks away from my house is about as far as I’ve ever let him walk me and I incline my head to show I’m alright with that. The air cools as we walk, and I tip my head back to enjoy it.
Arran pulls my hand through his arm to keep us connected as we walk, and I can feel the muscles flex underneath it. I bite my lip as my hair hides my face, and I’ve never been happier to have it grow back. It feels as if it took forever, but it’s finally down to my bra line.
As we arrive at the invisible boundary I’ve set, Arran turns toward me and leans down. I raise my face not knowing what he’s doing, my eyes closing as he presses his lips to my forehead. I’ve read about these kisses, but never experienced it for myself.
I definitely understand the hype.
I float home, barely touching the sidewalk, my fingers touching the place his lips touched in awe.
CHAPTER
TWELVE
CIARAN
My knee bounces anxiously as I play a video game with my brother. Nox moved to Colorado once he got out of prison and called the guys when things started getting really bad for me while I was in college. Alastair thinks he waited too long to call him, but secrets are what my family does.
It’s hard to break the habit outside of our little bubble. Nox has realized that Alastair and Draven are also my family, and he’s getting used to sharing me with them. I don’t think he understands my relationship with them and gives me concerned looks when I have a new cut or the indentation of ropes on my arms.
