Page 54 of Playing Flirty

Maybe that was why Patrick had lost interest.

“So, we need to pick our own fabric and come back here. Then we can grab lunch, get to the florist, the baker, and the graphic designer.” Neema shimmied, her eyes sparkling before landing on me and then dimming with concern. “What’s wrong?”

Still reeling from my thoughts, I shook my head. “Nothing. I’m tired. I was up all night, remember?”

“Yeah, I know. But you look upset.” She led me outside toward the car and whispered before Shaun caught up to us. “So, you still have no idea what Patrick wants?”

Discomfort soared through me. “Nope, and something tells me my mom wanted to give me a warning. As chaotic as she is, she rarely slips up when it comes to secrets.”

Neema and I released the same long exhale.

Shaun reached us and offered Neema a soft smile.

“Uhm… maybe I’ll skip the fabric store and check on William then join you later?” he said. “Or could we reschedule? I don’t want to miss anything but—”

Shaun’s concern seeped into me, and before I could stop myself, I said, “I’ll check on him.”

Two sets of shocked and confused eyes focused on me.

I shrugged. “We’re done here, which is all I really needed to be present for.”

“But you planned all of this,” Neema said.

“For you.” I grinned. “You both need to be here, and rescheduling this is a nightmare.”

That wasn’t the only reason, but I’d seen the confusion in Shaun’s eyes with a hint of unease. I hated lying to them, but telling either of them about whatever William and I were doing before the wedding was a disaster waiting to happen—much like William and myself, I supposed.

But it was too late to stop. And he was sick. This was innocent. Mostly.

This wasn’t Round 1 or Round 2 of our game. I didn’t know what it was. But I knew I wanted to see him.

Neema squeezed my arm and tossed her keys to me.

I gave them my best smile. “Text me everything. I want photos, updates, selfies, and voice messages.” I kept rambling until they both chuckled and I was in the car and on the way to William, following the pull in my stomach leading me there.

After a quick stop at home, I went to their apartment and knocked on the door. Only silence. I went through Neema’skeys and found the spare Shaun had given her. Barging in wasn’t something I was comfortable with, but what if William was unable to walk?

I unlocked the door and cracked it open. “William? I’m coming in.”

A shifting sound came from William’s bedroom. I dropped my things and closed the front door behind me.

His bedroom door cracked open. “Rose?” he said. His face was unusually pale and sweat glistened on his straight nose. His dark eyes lost focus as they reached mine. “Rose? What are you doing here?”

He leaned his head against the doorframe, looking like he might pass out.

“You need to lie down,” I said, leading him back to where he’d come from.

I sat on the edge of his bed and brushed his damp hair out of his face. His eyes closed as I touched him, and he released a soft breath.

“Have you called a doctor yet?”

“No doctor.” His lips pressed together, and his hand shot to his stomach.

“Is it cramping?”

He nodded, looking smaller than I’d ever seen him. “I don’t want to throw up again. Been throwing up all night, and I really, really don’t want to throw up in front of you. It doesn’t go well with my sexy, mysterious persona.”

I bit back a smile, happy he still had his priorities straight. “Luckily for you, I am well trained in dealing with food poisoning and rarely having access to a doctor.” I took out a bean bag, which was one of the things I’d stopped at home for.

---