Page 72 of Conspiracies and Chemistry

Heard you had a flare-up. Feel better soon!

What.

The.

Hell.

How had they found out?

Only one person could have told them.

It was one thing for Savannah to tell our best friends I was in pain. It was another thing for Oliverto talk about my conditionat work.

I closed my eyes, willing the rage to recede. But it flowed hot in my veins.

“Savannah,” I called. “I’m going to need some chocolate. Lots of chocolate.”

Later that afternoon, Oliver came home.

Nothome.My home, not his. Not at all. I smoothed my hair away from my face and straightened my shoulders.

Instead of hello, I said, “Why did you tell everyone I was sick?”

He frowned. “They asked where you were.”

“They askedyouwhere I was? Do they know about us?”

“No.” He put up his hands defensively. “Of course not. They asked in general. I said you’d called in sick.”

“Why’d you have to say anything at all?” I wanted to stand up, pace around and look strong. But my stomach was full of knives, and it was all I could do to sit upright.

“Be-because they asked. Because they care. Because I care.”

“You shouldn’t have said anything. It’s my news to tell. Or not.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “They wanted to know. I thought it might make you feel better to know they care about you.”

“It didn’t.” Maybe it was true, or maybe it wasn’t. Regardless, I didn’t want Oliver to share my personal medical situation with anyone. That was much more important.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated. He perched on the coffee table and took my hand. “What can I do to make it up to you?” He ran a finger up my palm to my wrist.

I snatched my hand back and folded my arms across my chest. “Not that.”

“Really?” He rested a finger above my knee.

“Really.” But even to myself, I sounded uncertain.

His voice went deep. “Because if you’re feeling up to it, I could slip off those sweatpants and do what I did the other night when you screamed my name.”

“What was that?” I pretended not to know exactly what he was talking about.

He dipped his chin. “I think you know.”

I looked away. “Shit.”

He scooted closer until our knees touched. “I really am sorry I crossed the line.” He leaned forward and kissed me sweetly on the lips. Then he put his lips to my ear. “Let me take you to bed. I’ll make you come, then I’ll bring you dinner. Or we can do it in the reverse order.”

“Savannah made fresh cookies, and I’ve been eating them all afternoon. I can do without dinner.”

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