Page 35 of The Last Time

I take a quick look at my watch. It’s been two hours. I better go check on her to make sure that she is doing alright.

I throw down the brush and rag that I was holding and walk into the house through the back door.

The first thing I take notice of as I walk through the foyer and up the stairs is that the drywall is all patched up. I had the guys come immediately to make sure she could start to feel like there was progress being made. I didn’t want her alone in a house with holes all around her.

This house is huge. I’m sure taking on this project on her own is daunting. I make a mental note of the things that I can do to ease the burden. I could easily change the light fixtures for her, which would instantly give the house a more modern feel.

I walk down the long hallway until I find her bedroom door at the end. I use the word bed loosely, as it’s just a cheap metal frame with an air mattress on top.

She is sound asleep, her gray comforter pulled up to her chin. Just looking at her makes my heart skip a beat.

I sit on the bed, hoping I don’t pop this damn mattress in the process.

She rolls onto her back, arms dropping above her head. I wait to see if she will open her eyes, but her breathing evens out, and she remains asleep.

“Charlotte,” I whisper gently.

Her eyes flutter open. I watch her look around her room and then back to me.

“How long have I been sleeping?” she asks softly.

“A couple hours. I just wanted to see if you think you could keep down some lunch. I’m gonna go grab something. Maybe some soup or a small sandwich?”

She moans. “Ugh, I can’t even think about food.”

I notice her face is red, and she starts to shiver. When I lean in to put my hand on her forehead, she’s burning up.

“I think this is more than just a hangover, Charlotte. You’re burning up.”

“I feel awful,” she croaks.

“Okay. You stay in bed. I’m going to go to the pharmacy, see what I can grab. I’ll pick up some soup on the way back.”

I tuck her into the covers just like I do with Brie when she’s sick.

“You don’t have to do that,” she mumbles under the covers.

“Of course, I do. You are in no condition to do it yourself. I’m already here and going out to get lunch. It’s really no problem.”

She sighs with her eyes closed. I wish I could do something more for her. I wish I could crawl under the covers with her and hold her.

“Thanks, Asher. Maybe you’re not a huge asshole after all.”

I smile. “I’ll be back soon. Call me if you need anything.”

Without even thinking, I lean forward and kiss her forehead.

What the hell was that? Why did I just do that?

Instead of sticking around for her reaction, I stand up and bolt out of the room.

I make my stops as quickly as possible. I don’t like the idea of her lying alone, feeling miserable without anything to help ease the aches.

As soon as I get back to her place, I put the soup in the fridge and head up to her bedroom with the medicine.

She is still sleeping, so I put the medicine on the nightstand and feel her head again. She’s still burning up. I don’t want to wake her, but I would really prefer to give her something.

“Charlotte,” I whisper.

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