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“I can handle it.” I hung up, and with another smile, headed for the intersecting point of the two roads to wait for Mack. I couldn’t help but feel amusement over Laurel’s worries about introducing “chaos” to my life. What I dealt with on a daily basis—the pain, the adrenaline, the failures that resulted in the worst outcomes—thatwas chaos. A blue-eyed raccoon with dad jokes and a shitty ex-husband didn’t scare me.
I could handle it.
Sixteen
Laurel
Idecided that being sick without Lachlan was too boring to endure. I stayed up too late daydreaming about him. When I woke, I felt worse than I had the morning before, and dragged myself to the kitchen to drink water and take the pills Doctor Dreamy had left me.
Calla woke up in bright spirits, and her frustration with my exhaustion turned out to be the perfect two ingredients for a day from Hell. Calla turned whiny and demanding, and my headache just about split my brain in half. I did my best to entertain her while slowly going mad from inactivity myself.
Also, I couldn’t stop thinking about Lachlan. It was seriously obscene to sit there with my cute kiddo, reading a book about a unicorn finding her identity while half my mind was on the things that Lachlan’s tongue could do.
I’m going to Hell for this. Actually, I’m already burning.
I let my boss know I’d be in tomorrow.
I ate leftovers for lunch.
I fought sleep while Calla watched a movie.
Around two, my phone chirped with a text.
Lachlan: Just woke up. You doing OK?
I answered immediately.
Laurel: Yeah! We’re doing fine over here. Did you end up working again last night?
Lachlan: Duty calls and all that. How’s your fever? Have you been alternating the two antipyretics?
My eyes did a guilty side-bounce. I forgot about that part. I’d taken my antibiotic that morning, but since Calla didn’t have a fever, I’d forgotten to check mine.
Laurel: Of course.
Lachlan’s text bounced with three dots for a minute.
Lachlan: I think I might be a superhero. I can tell you’re lying from all the way over here.
I snorted.
Laurel: Okay, I forgot. I’ll go do it now, though.
Lachlan: Check your temp first.
I pulled the cheap digital thermometer out of the coffee table drawer and stuck it under my tongue. After I pushed the button, I texted him.
Laurel: It takes 2 min.
Lachlan: Didn’t they outlaw mercury thermometers in the 70s?
Laurel: Don’t come for my thermometer. It got me through Calla’s infancy.
Lachlan: Poor Calla. Can I bring you guys dinner?
No, you’re too perfect and tempting. I’ll fall in love for real if you bring me delicious food.
Laurel: We’re OK.
