Page 19 of Doctor Everything

Linea stopped in her tracks.

I turned to her. “What?”

“God, Ava. I don't know what to do with you.” She sighed.

“What?” I chuckled.

“Teach them how to organize their homes?” She gaped. “That's our whole thing — cleaning and tidying up out-of-control messy homes. If we showed them how, we’d lose business.”

I thought for a moment. “Oh, I see.”

“I'm glad you do.” She shook her head. “I wonder how you'd make any money if I wasn't curbing your generosity.”

“Linea!”

She giggled, walking ahead. “I'm just saying. You’re like Santa Claus, but all year-round.”

“Yeah, well,” No argument popped up in my brain. “No one's complaining,” I finished in a small voice.

“Aww, don’t look that way.” She turned, a smile in her eyes.

I shook my head. “You’re impossible, Linea.”

"The cleaning booth is still a good idea, though, right?"

I nodded. “Sounds fun. We could get a front stall.”

"I think there’s a charge. We can check, though."

“Yeah, we should—” My stomach swooped, heat rushing through my body.

I stopped on the path, trying to collect myself. Someone bumped into me and offered an apology. I couldn't speak.

Could only focus on standing as my head swam.

What was happening?

Warm hands touched my shoulder. “Ava, are you okay?”

I blinked at my friend. “I don't know. Just feeling dizzy.”

She threw a gaze around, then pulled my arm. “Come with me.”

Linea brought us to a sitting area and nudged me onto a chair.

“I'll be right back.”

I buried my face in my hands and massaged my forehead. What's wrong with me?

“Here.”

I pried my hands away. Linea held a can of soda before me.

“Thank you.”

The first swallow washed down my throat, bringing some stability.

Linea dropped into the chair opposite me. “Feeling better?”

---