Page 29 of Handle with Care
“It doesn’t matter,” I say nonchalantly, even though I was looking forward to the date. “It’s only a date. I can reschedule.”
He groans, looking truly wretched now.
“Honestly, it’s fine. He’ll understand.”
“Another man from Grindr?” He squints at me, frowning. “Surely you’re joking.”
I shake my head at Will and give him a wry smile at the idea he’s paying attention to my dating life. “You remember that? C’mon, it’s fine. People meet people on Grindr all the time. Just lie down.”
He shakes his head.
“Why not? Don’t you like the room? I mean, it’s kind of small. But I can sleep on the floor?—”
“You can’t!”
“I sure will. Watch me. I don’t care, I’ve slept in worse places, believe me. Up to you: I can tell everyone back at the office youwouldn’t share the one bed.” I put enough humor in my voice so he knows I’m joking.
I’m rewarded with the thrill of his laugh.
“I’ll put the quilt on the floor and take a pillow from the bed.”
“God, I’m ruining everything. Your plans.” Will chews his lip.
I snort. “Listen, I’m the last person to worry about in this scenario. How about you lie down, and I can go to Boots and get you something for your migraine, okay? If you’re real lucky, I won’t even tamper with the meds. I’ll text Lily and tell her we made it back to London, so we’re off the hook with her, and she won’t know. And you better not still be sitting on the edge of the bed when I get back.”
Will gives me a shaky smile and shifts more fully onto the bed, sinking into it on his side.
“Good.” Satisfied, I nod. “I’ll be back before long. Call or text if you need anything. You have your phone?”
“Yes.”
“’Kay.”
And I head out, quietly shutting the door and locking it with a soft click.
By the time I get back with a paper bag of meds from the chemist’s, Will’s sprawled on his side on top of the covers, fast asleep this time.
Good.
I put the bag on the bedside table with a glass of water and leave him to sleep for a while. As for me, I walk up and down the narrow, winding lanes of the village to explore, call my date
to explain and reschedule for Saturday night, then return a while later to check on Will again. Still sleeping.
So, I find a spot in the pub with the book I picked up from one of the shops, have a meal, and stay down there before it starts to get even busier with the evening crowd, when at last I go back upstairs to our room.
Chapter Thirteen
In our room, I go to the small chair in front of the equally small window and crack open the curtains a little for some evening sun so I can continue my book. Maybe it was the creak of the chair or the sound of my footsteps across the old floorboards or the sliver of brightness, but Will shifts slightly then and rubs his eyes. I hold my breath, waiting to see if he goes back to sleep. His back’s to me, away from the light.
He rolls over. “Dylan?” Will asks sleepily.
“Yeah? I’m here.” I set the book down on my lap, tugging the curtains back nearly closed so the light doesn’t hurt his eyes. “How’re you feeling?”
“Ugh.”
“Sorry.” I hesitate, peering at Will as best I can from across the small room. His face is as pale as the sheets on the bed. “Is there anyone I should call for you? Like your girlfriend, maybe?”
“My girlfriend?” Will lifts his head awkwardly to look at me. “What girlfriend?”
