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No way was I going to leave. I looked around her room. She had a vanity table with a chair in one corner, and a small couch on the other side.
The couch in the living room was larger, but I didn’t want to be that far away. What if she was too faint to call loudly, and I didn’t hear when she needed something?
***
“Oh shit, shit, shit. It’s so late.”
Hailey’s voice awoke me with a jolt. I blinked my eyes open, watching her jump out of the bed. Her mouth formed an O when she noticed me.
“Reid... you spent the night here?”
I nodded, feeling as if I’d gotten no sleep at all.
“On the couch?”
I nodded again. Her eyes were wide and searching, as if she couldn’t quite understand what was happening.
“Why?”
I shook my limbs, standing up, walking right to her. “Because you were sick, and I didn’t want you to be alone.”
I cupped her face, but she jumped back.
“No, no, no. No kissing.”
“Why not?”
“Umm... morning breath?”
“Still want to kiss you.”
She shook her head vehemently. It only made me want to kiss her more.
“No. Shower first. Then kissing. Then I need to haul ass to work and find a way to repay you for just... being you, I guess.” She grinned, hugging herself. “I can’t believe you stayed.”
I loved every word coming out of her mouth, except one: work.
“Right, you’re not going to work today.”
“Why not?”
“You were sick the entire night. You need to recover.”
“I completely missed the call this morning. I bet Cameron called me about a dozen times. I have to call him back.”
“Do that. Also tell him you need the day off.”
She placed her hands on her hips, transforming from the sweet woman who was happy that I’d stayed to the feisty business professional who looked one step away from kicking me out.
“You cannot boss me into doing this.”
“I’m certainly going to try.”
“Reid—”
“Babe. You gave me a good scare last night.” I took both her hands in mine. “The least you can do is spend today with me. I want to make sure you’re recovering.”
She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, and I saw her determination melting away.
