Page 108 of The Charmer

"Please tell me you didn't watch me throw up."

"Babe, I took care of you."

I wanted to disappear under the covers.

"I think something last night didn't agree with your stomach."

"Have you been sick?" I asked him.

He shook his head. "No."

"Then I don't think it was the restaurant food. I ate some cheese I had in the fridge at the store yesterday afternoon. It tasted a bit off, but I figured it was still okay. You really saw me throw up? At least tell me you didn't have to hold my hair." He fixed me with his gaze. He was still serious. "Oh no, you did," I groaned.

"You want me to lie to you?"

"You know what? Yeah, try it."

"Then no, I was fast asleep, didn't even hear a thing. You just told me what happened when you came to bed."

"Nah, it's not working." I took a good look at him now that my eyes were accustomed to the light. "Did I keep you up all night? You look like you haven't slept much.”

"I've been up for a while. You had a fever, and I was worried. I kept calling the family doctor, and he finally answered. He’s coming right away."

"Julian, I'm sure I just need some water."

"That's the thing. I've tried to give you water all night, after each time you threw up. You just got sick again."

I stilled. "So, I did throw up multiple times."

"Why are you so caught up on that?" he inquired, and I could tell he was genuinely baffled.

"We just started dating. I don't want you to see me puking."

"Georgie, stop that. There is no reason for you to feel uncomfortable. You were sick. I looked after you as best as I could. And I’m going to do that for the rest of the day."

I groaned, lying back. "What time is it?" I pushed myself up again and was hit with a fresh wave of nausea.

Right, brisk movements aren't good.

"Eleven o'clock."

I gasped. "Oh my God, Zelda must be freaking out. I need to call her."

"She called a few hours ago. I answered the phone and told her what's going on. She assured me that she’ll take care of the store until you're back on your feet. I offered to send some reinforcements in case she needs it."

I felt a strange pressure in my chest. "Who would you even send?"

"Probably one of my brothers."

I laughed. "As if they don't have anything better to do on the weekend."

"They’d do it as a favor to me if I asked them. Not sure how much use they’d be in the actual store, but they’d do it."

"Oh, Julian."

"The doctor suggested you have some toast. I'm going downstairs to bring you some."

"Thanks."

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