Page 88 of Trusting Fate (Hope Falls: Brewed Awakenings 2)

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Grace openedher eyes and the first thing she thought was that it was dark outside. The second thing she thought was that she didn’t feel like she’d been hit by a truck anymore. And the third thing she thought was that her hair felt wet.

She lifted her arm, and although she felt weak, it wasn’t heavy like it had been. Her fingers ran through her hair and, sure enough, it was damp.

“Hey.”

Her eyes shot to the direction of Easton’s deep voice, and she found him sitting in the corner of the room.

“Hey,” she smiled. Even in the dimmed light, he looked tired. His hair was rumpled in the most adorable way. He was wearing a T-shirt and sweats, which had quickly become Grace’s favorite things to see him in. Well, minus the shirt. Cleo was curled up on his lap and Easton was stroking her. Grace found herself, once again, jealous of the cat.

“How are you feeling?” he asked as he stood and gently set Cleo on the floor.

“Better.” She took a deep breath as she sat up. It wasn’t like she could run a marathon but compared to how she’d felt earlier she was ready to take on the day. Or night. Maybe there was still time to go and stage. “What time is it?”

Easton checked his watch. “Six.”

Grace knew that the keys were due at 6 p.m. but maybe he’d gotten them an extension. Maybe that’s why he was home and not working up until the last minute. “Did you already hand over the keys?”

“I did.” Easton nodded. “Yesterday.”

“Yesterday?!” Grace looked out the window, why she had no idea. It’s not like the view outside would give her any of the answers she needed. “What day is it?”

“It’s Saturday.”

“Saturday? I slept for two days?”

Easton took another step toward her. “Your fever broke this morning around five, and you haven’t even stirred since then.”

“Five. This morning,” Grace repeated.

Easton nodded.

“Have you been sitting in that chair watching me for…” Her brain was still a little foggy, so it took her a beat to do the math. “For thirteen hours?”

“No.”

“Oh, good.” Her shoulders dropped. That would be embarrassing. Grace snored, something she was not proud of, and if Easton had been there that entire time, he would definitely have heard her.

“I’ve been sitting here watching you for twenty-four hours. When I got back last night Audrey offered to stay, but I told her I wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway.”

“And you just sat there? This whole time?”

“Where else would I be?” he asked as if there wasn’t a million other places he could have been and a million other things he could have been doing.

“You didn’t have to do that…to watch me.”

“Yes.” He nodded and there was an intensity in his stare that she felt in her soul. “I did. I needed to know that you were okay.”

Grace felt her heart beating wildly in her chest and she didn’t think it had anything to do with the illness she’d just experienced. She felt…exposed. Vulnerable. Not physically, but emotionally. No one had ever taken care of her like Easton. Even her mom wouldn’t have sat for twenty-four hours just staring at her to make sure she was okay.

Suddenly feeling very uncomfortable in the rawness of emotion he was showing and she was feeling, she knew that she needed a moment to herself. Also, she really had to pee, so there was that.

“I need to…um…” She shifted so that her feet were on the floor and this time when she stood the entire room didn’t spin. Easton waited, staring at her with heart-wrenching concern.

“Are you okay?” he asked, touching her elbow for support.

She shrugged her arm from his touch, if she didn’t, there was a good chance she would have fallen into his arms and started crying telling him how much his actions meant to her. Maybe she did still have a fever because that was not Ice Queen behavior.

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