Page 69 of The Friendship Variable
I’m shocked Ryan didn’t go running when he looked at me.
“Claire? You okay?” he calls again.
“Yep. Just washing up, then I’ll get back in bed. No need to help.”
But I hear some rustling in the living room, then footsteps in my direction. “I bet you’re dizzy,” he says through the closed door. “I’ll help you back to bed.”
He’s not wrong; I am dizzy. So dizzy, in fact, that I don’t even want to try to fix my hair. But dang it, I do not want him to see me like this. “Nope. I’m good.”
“Claire. Let me help you.”
I heave a sigh. “Ryan, I look like a monster.”
He snorts a laugh. “And I’m sure you feel even worse. Don’t worry. I’m not easily scared.”
I turn off the light to reduce his ability to see me and open the door slowly. “You’re sure?” I ask, poking my head through the door.
I’m met with his famous grin, melting my heart. “I’m sure. Come on.”
I open the door the rest of the way, and he holds out his arm for me to lean on. I’ll admit, it’s nice to have his support.
“Why are you still here?” I ask as we shuffle back to my room.
“I wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything or accidentally fall,” he says. “I had this flu back in December, and I’m ashamed to admit how much I needed Aaron.”
I chuckle. “Did he make you soup?”
“He did. You know how much he loves to feed me.”
“I bet he loved that.”
“Yeah, especially after I infected him, too.”
We’re quiet the rest of the way to my bed. I lie back down, and Ryan pulls the covers over me, then smooths my hair again. “You need anything?”
My throat feels like sandpaper. “Water?”
He nods and bends down, grabbing his water bottle from the ground.
“Why am I drinking from your water bottle?” I ask.
“You said yours was missing.”
“Oh.” I take a long sip, something stirring in my stomach that feels an awful lot like butterflies. I must still be delirious. Then I lower myself onto my bed with a groan. “I feel awful.”
“I know. Go to sleep. I’ll be here if you need anything.” He runs his fingers across my forehead, the motion making my eyelids heavy.
I’m too tired to argue with him. Besides, it’s actually really nice knowing he’s here. I fall asleep faster than I expected in the comfort of Ryan’s presence.
When I wake again,it’s light outside. I’m still halfway in a dream, and it takes some time to emerge from it.
A dream where Ryan and I were…married.
In my dream, we were waking up together in bed, his hair all rumpled and messy, and I was in his arms. And then…a kid ran into the bedroom. Our kid? It must have been, because he or she (the dream was too fuzzy for me to see clearly) jumped on top of him and squealed, “Daddy!” And I felt disappointed that I didn’t get a morning kiss from Ryan, but my heart also melted at Ryan with his child.
Ourchild.
Oh, no.
