Page 63 of When He Was Mine
“She worries about you,” Oliver said, his voice gentle but firm.
“She doesn’t have to. I’m not a child,” I retorted.
“But you’re her child.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Ryleigh, I don’t mean to sound like your father.”
“Well, sometimes you do, and it’s annoying. You’re not my father; you’re my fiancé.”
“Point taken.” He paused, a frown creasing his lips. “I just… I worry about you.”
“Seems like there’s a lot of that going around,” I muttered.
Oliver shook his head and took a massive bite of his burger, juices dribbling onto the plate. We didn’t speak for the rest of the meal, and I managed to eat only half of my burger. Not eating for several days had shrunk my stomach. I placed the remainder down and leaned back against the chair, feeling a wave of fatigue wash over me.
“Full?” he asked, his eyes scanning my face with concern.
“Very, and I feel tired.”
“Get into bed. I’ll be in right after I finish.”
I wiped my hands and slowly rose, heading to the bedroom. Exhaustion hit me hard as I slipped into bed, and in a matter of minutes, I was asleep. Oliver woke me half an hour later, gently shaking me awake.
“What’s so important?” I grumbled.
“Your medication. Please take it,” he urged.
I turned over and sat up in bed, taking the pills he handed me and washing them down with the glass of water he brought.
“I’m going back to bed,” I mumbled, feeling groggy.
“I have to make a few calls.”
“To who? It’s after 6 p.m.,” I questioned, knowing full well he often made calls at odd hours and to different countries. I was irritated and wanted to irritate him back.
“It’s not your concern. You must be feeling better because you’re getting more difficult,” he remarked.
I stuck my tongue out at him, feeling a childish satisfaction. He raised his eyebrows before a smirk played on his handsome face.
“I’m filing this for later use.”
“Filing what?”
“Your tongue sticking out at me. You’re still sick, so I need to refrain from making any requests to use it.”
I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at my lips. “You’re impossible.”
“And you love me for it,” he said, bending down to kiss my forehead. “Now, rest. I’ll join you soon.”
I nodded, sinking back into the pillows, feeling a bit better knowing he was near. The last thing I saw before drifting off was Oliver’s silhouette, the soft light from the hallway casting a halo around him. His presence was my comfort, my anchor. With him by my side, I knew I could weather anything.
I stuck my tongue at him and he raised his eyebrows before a smirk played on his handsome face.
“I’m filing this for use later.”
“Filing what?”
