Page 17 of About Time You Noticed

Sarah swung around and frowned. "Are you okay?"

He wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans. "Yeah. Fine. I should get going."

Sarah stepped forward and held the back of her hand to his forehead. "You're running a temperature."

"What?" He inched back, her hand dropping. "No. I'm good."

She stepped into his space again. "Tommy. You're not okay." Her forehead wrinkled in concern. Her closeness made it hard to breathe. Sarah cupped his face, and her lips neared his. "You're so hot, Tommy."

He gulped hard, took her hand, and dragged it away from his skin. "It's nothing." He avoided her eyes.

"You need to see a doctor. You might have a fever." She gripped his shoulders and pushed him into the dining chair. "Sit for a minute. I'll get you some water."

He leaned his elbow on the round table and hung his head. Oh, man. How embarrassing.

The faucet squeaked, and a rush of water filling a cup echoed from her kitchen. He needed to get out of here quick. Edward would arrive soon.

When he lifted his head, Sarah hovered over him, offering a glass. "Drink."

Her makeup was flawless, and a brush of jade eyeshadow made her eyes look warm and inviting like a jacuzzi on a winter's night.

"Come on. Don't stare at me like I'm speaking a foreign language. Drink."

He took the water, unable to string a sentence together. Better not to say a word until his brain functioned in rational order.

She pulled out a chair and studied him as he gulped every mouthful. After placing it on the table with a thud, Sarah took his wrist and pressed two fingers to his skin.

He laughed. "I don’t need a nurse."

She frowned and pressed a finger to his lips. "Shhh. I'm counting."

The quick touch inflamed his pulse. A stampede of horses raced through his veins.

Her eyes widened as she stared at his wrist. She pulled her chair closer and pressed her fingers to the pulse in his neck.

"Sarah, please. Stop fussing." Stop touching me and driving me crazy.

She didn't budge, and her eyes locked on his. "I'm worried about you. Your pulse is irregular." She smoothed her other hand across his brow and down his cheek. "Tommy. I'm serious. You're not well. We need to get you to a doctor."

He held his breath to keep from panting on her and sat statute-still, dreading the moment she would move away. His gaze caressed her face. Her irises were greener than he remembered. He'd been this close one other time, when they’d danced at Ethan and Emily's wedding. She’d been all spiffed up back then too, but he hadn’t felt what he was experiencing now. Hadn't noticed how pretty her eyes were or the definition of her delicate neck.

"Are you going to pass out? Maybe you should lie down."

He took both of her hands and held them in his. "Seriously. I'm perfectly fine. If it makes you feel better, give me some painkillers. But I can't go to the doctor. I'm meeting Damien soon."

"Cancel. You need to be looked at."

He released her hands. "The clinic’s closed by now."

"I'll take you to the hospital." She shot to her feet.

"Sarah, what about Edward? He's probably on his way." Maybe he should let her take him to the hospital. No. That would be selfish. Sarah was looking forward to a night out and hoped for a new beginning. Tommy's heart sank at the approaching end of their close friendship.

"I’m sure Edward would understand." She rushed to the counter and grabbed her keys. "Anyway, he could meet us there. We'll wait until you've been seen."

Tommy stood. "Thanks, but I'll tell Damien your concerns and ask him to keep an eye on me. So don’t worry and have a good time with Edward. He'd kill me if I ruined your date."

"If he's that self-centered, he's not worth my time. You're more important right now."

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