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When I felt my eyes growing heavy, I fought to keep them open. It wasn’t until I felt a light pressure on my arm that I realized I’d fallen asleep.
“I’m all caught up now.”
Drawing in a deep breath, I leaned forward and scrubbed my hand down my face. “With?”
“The show,” Lily replied with a light chuckle. “I think we should get you to bed.”
I stood, and dizziness set in just a bit, causing me to sway slightly.
Lily grabbed hold of me. “You okay?”
“Yep, the room spun for just a second.” I turned to look at Lily. “Lil,pleasego home. I’m really okay, and you need to get a good night’s sleep.”
“It’s almost three in the morning. I’m not leaving to go anywhere this late. Does your neck hurt?”
I rubbed the back of my neck and shook my head. “No, I’m fine.”
“I’ll crash out here, and if you’re feeling better tomorrow and your fever hasn’t come back, I’ll leave you alone, I promise. I’m sure you hate having someone in your space.”
My eyes caught hers, and I slowly shook my head once again. “I don’t mind having you here. But you do have to stop walking into the bathroom and seeing me naked.”
Lily’s cheeks turned pink. “I’m so sorry about that.”
I shrugged. “How about you sleep in my bed, and I’ll sleep out here?”
Her eyes went wide. “No way! Come on,” she said, taking my hand in hers. I tried to ignore the way it sent a bolt of electricity through my entire body. “You sleep in your own bed. I’ll be fine on the sofa.”
“Okay, but I don’t need you to walk me to my room.”
She chewed on her lower lip before she dropped my hand. “You really scared me, Maverick.”
It felt like someone kicked me in the chest when I saw the concern in her eyes. “When?”
Letting out a disbelieving laugh, she replied, “When I showed up here Sunday morning and found you barely conscious! Then when I felt how hot you were. I was terrified. It didn’t help when my dad showed up, and he was just as scared. You mean a lot to us, Mav. Sometimes I don’t think you realize how much. Or maybe you’re trying to keep all of us at a distance as some sort of protection. I don’t know, but…I guess I just feel the need to explain why I’ve camped out here the last few days. You’re a good friend, and well…I’m glad you’re okay.”
I placed my hands on her upper arms and leaned in to kiss her forehead. “Thank you for being here for me. For coming and checking on me. If you hadn’t, I’m not sure what would have happened.”
She laughed. “My mother would have come the moment she found out you’d called in sick.”
“You’re probably right.”
Lily winked. “I know I am.”
Dropping my hands back to my sides, I let out a breath. “Good night, Lily.”
Her eyes searched my face, and I had the feeling she wanted to say more but was holding back. “’Night, Maverick.”
When I started toward my bedroom, she called, “Maverick…are you dating Brandee Norman?”
I stopped walking and closed my eyes, drawing in a slow breath before turning back to face her, a neutral expression on my face. Or at least I hoped it was. “No. Why?”
She shrugged.
“I asked her out for drinks the night of Rose and Bryson’s wedding, but I obviously never made it since I started to feel bad. Did she call or something?”
Lily wrung her hands together. “No. You mentioned the date, and I just wondered if you guys were dating.”
“I’d only asked her out that night, so…” I shrugged, curious why she was really asking.
