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“Take care of things here?” I’ve already started gathering my things.
“Are you sure?” Oliver asks. “We can pause things. I know you want to be here for this.”
I hesitate, then shake my head. “Just go ahead with everything.” I push past them to grab some stuff from my suite.
I’m distracted with thoughts of what she might need. More medicine? Some chicken noodle soup? Maybe I could hire a doctor to meet me there for a house call.
But by the time I’ve pulled onto Lakeside Road in the direction of Longdale, all I can think of is how fast I can get to her.
I try calling her twice on the drive. I know it’s irrational, and I could come off as looking like a crazy person. Especially if I show up and she’s just lounging around, feeling fine.
Which would be a total relief. But I don’t know, and that’s exactly the problem.
I reach her fourplex and take the stairs two at a time. I knock and ring the doorbell, and that blasted dog starts screaming at me.
It doesn’t take long for Elianna to pull the door open. She blinks rapidly and I see that she’s in my t-shirt and shorts. She seems to see my gaze travel down her and she wraps an arm around herself.
“Hey, Sebastian.” Her voice is hoarse, and she sinks onto the doorknob.
“It’s good to see you walking around.”
“Well, I do have a door holding me up which helps.” Her eyes are sunken and her lips look dry. “What are you doing here? What about the meetings?”
“Everything’s fine at Tate International. My brothers are taking over. I . . . I just had to make sure you were okay.”
I feel foolish, exactly like I figured I would feel when this was all resolved.
“You left the meetings to check on me?”
“I called and texted and didn’t hear from you. Just, you know, making sure your fever’s not a hundred and ten.” I try to offer a laugh, but I know it’s wooden.
The look she gives me is quizzical.
“Oh, you don’t remember last night,” I say.
“Last night? I mean, bits and pieces. My fever wasn’t a hundred and ten, was it?” She hesitates, but I see the corners of her mouth giving a weak smile.
“No, but you were pretty out of it. How about some broth? Or maybe a little bit of rice or a popsicle for your throat?”
She breathes out a laugh. “Maybe in a little while. Want to come in, even if I look horrendous?”
“You could never.”
She rolls her eyes. “Here, entertain my dog while I shower real quick. If you have time.”
“I have time.” The worry that was pressing so hard on my whole being is starting to lighten.
She’s in and out of the shower so fast I barely have time to let my mind wander over the fact thatshe’s in the shower.
And when she walks back into her living room, her hair wet, but brushed clean, the dog is snuggled right up next to me on the sofa, letting me rub her belly.
“Well, she fell in love with you quickly,” Elianna says. The look she gives me burns into me. She sits on an easy chair across the room.
“It’s like we’re at work all over again,” I say, gesturing between us to show the distance.
“I don’t want to get you sick.” She frowns and shakes her head. “Let me just apologize in advance if you end up contracting this . . . whatever it is. You carried me all over the resort last night.” She buries her face in both hands and groans.
“Hey, hey.” I try to pet Destiny’s Child again, but by this time, she’s already jumped up and gotten on Elianna’s lap. “I wanted to help. How are you feeling now that you’ve showered?”
