Page 34 of Branches of the Willow

“I wish to stay.” Natalia’s eyes were only for Evan now, and he did not bother hiding the smile on his face as she spoke.

“Okay, then we’ll get you taken care of first thing in the morning.” I turned to Mikael then. “I’m ready to go home now, please.” I felt like the last of my energy went rushing out of my body as a wave of dizziness came over me. Mikael reached out, seeing that I was unsteady on my feet, and swept me up into his arms.

“I’m taking you home, you’re going to get some rest, and then we’re going to talk about what you’re doing to yourself.”

“Okay.” It was all I could muster the energy for at the moment, and then I put my head on his shoulder, and closed my eyes.

“Is Jessie okay?” Ashley’s voice pulled me back from the void I was about to slip into. It was then that I realized Ash had been there, amongst the girls, trying to help, and I hadn’t even noticed. I had not even said hello to her. I was a horrible friend. I deserved a horrible friend award.

“Hey, Ashley. I’m fine, only tired.”

Ashley snickered. “Maybe I should swoon on my feet and feign being tired so my man will sweep me up and carry me in his arms to our bed.” I’m not sure why Ashley picked right up with teasing, if I was her, I would be yelling at me for being so out of it.

Asi huffed good naturedly. “All you have to do is ask, my lovely little passion wolf, and your wish is my command.” He reached down and swept my best friend up in his arms, with her laughing the whole way. It was so good to see them happy together. Thankfully, I figured Asi was the reason that my best friend hadn’t noticed, or at least hadn’t mentioned, my neglect. I would, however, have to remember to torment them both about Ash being his ‘lovely little passion wolf’. I chuckled lightly at the thought.

Mikael didn’t give me time to watch them be silly though. He turned to walk toward the Jeep that was parked just on the other side of the building. “I’m going to get Jess home. Ashley, can you pick her up tomorrow? I have to get back to the dog rescue for a few hours. I’m training a new manager for the facility before we officially start taking in dogs.”

“Sure thing, Mikey.”

“Don’t call me that,” he admonished, while cocking his brow up in question as to why she’d do such a thing.

“Someone’s gwumpy today!” She teased in a baby voice. I laughed, and Mikael pretended he was going to drop me until he heard me squeak, and then he pulled me closer to him and walked us the rest of the way to the Jeep.

“Make sure you’re actually getting some sleep, Jess! You look like shit!”

“Thanks, Ash!” I yelled back to her as Mikael sat me down in the passenger seat and started buckling me in. When he had me secured, and was moving to get back out the door, he stopped with his lips hovering just above mine. Then, he leaned in just a fraction of an inch so our lips brushed, but just barely. It was the slightest of touches, but my body was scorched where our lips met, and just as quickly he was gone, and the cool night air was taking all that heat with it once more.

“Let’s get you home.”

“I love you,” I told him as he rounded the front of the Jeep. His face turned to watch me as he made his way to the other side and then once he was in, he moved to whisper in my ear. “I never doubt it.”

13

Surprise

“You’vebeenthroughalot, and you need more rest.”

“I appreciate you being overprotective of me, Mikael, but I know my own limits.”

“Do you? I had to catch you earlier because your body gave out on you. That happened in front of seventeen women who are enigmas to us. We don’t know what any of their intentions are.”

“Well, I can guess what Natalia’s are…” I offered flippantly with a wide grin. “She’s all about that brother of yours.”

“Nice try.” Mikael slouched down, and then bent at the waist as he began taking his boots off his feet.

“What?” I asked innocently as I continued to strip out of my clothes.

“Changing the subject, the way you did. We’re not done talking about this, Jess. I love you. I love that you think you can handle balancing the whole world on your shoulders, but even the strongest person needs rest sometimes.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” I tossed my pants across the room, and they landed in the laundry basket that sat on top of an old chair over there. Then I stood in just my t-shirt and panties, ready to head to the bathroom and grab a shower, when the nausea hit full force. “Oh shit!” I swore before I started running for the bathroom.

“Jess? Are you…”? I was puking before he could get out the rest of his sentence. “Okay?” Mikael came in the bathroom behind me, and pulled my hair up, holding it out of the way while I continued to empty out the contents of my stomach. “Seriously, enough is enough. Are you ready to tell me what’s going on?”

I heaved once more, into the toilet, before answering. “I’m a little busy...” I managed to get out before round two was upon me. Then I was busy again. Mikael managed to get a hold of one of my hair ties and pulled my hair back with that so he could leave me long enough to get a washcloth, wet in cool water, and ring it out. He brought it back and placed it at the nape of my neck which immediately made me feel a little better. I stopped tossing my cookies long enough to glance up at his worried eyes.

Unfortunately for me, worry wasn’t the only emotion I saw there. Concern, anger, and frustration all took up residence in the look he was giving me. So, I decided to just come right out with my little secret. “Surprise!” I mock-shouted it with my hands in the air, fingers splayed apart in a little spirit-finger wave.

“Surprise?” He questioned, and then reached over me to flush the rest of the vomit down the toilet. I cringed a little. I was definitely off my game, if I ever had any to begin with.

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