Page 54 of Give Me a Reason

“I drove her to school. She told me where to take her and everything. Don’t worry. We figured it out. I called Naomi, and she said she can pick up Aria from school and keep her until you feel better.”

“Thank you. I’ll text her.”

“I think you should take tonight off and go back to everything tomorrow if you’re feeling better.”

“Yes, nurse.”

“I brought some broth and more pain pills.” She helped me to sit against the pillows before placing a tray on my lap.

“I could get used to this.” I sipped the warm broth, pleased it soothed my throat.

“I brought a cool cloth. May I?”

I nodded as she raised her hand and patted the cool cloth on my neck.

“That feels nice.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t give you more meds. I didn’t want to wake you. Every time I checked on you, you seemed to be sleeping okay.”

I raised a brow as she sat next to my hip. “You checked on me?”

“I said I would.”

“Honestly? I don’t remember much from last night. Other than you showing Paisley your drawings.”

She blushed and looked away. “You heard that?”

“I was surprised you showed her and not me.” There was no censure in my voice, just curiosity.

“I guess there’s no judgment when a child looks at your work. She’s not going to say I’m not good enough.”

“You think I would have judged you?” I asked, surprised.

Aria sighed as she pulled the cloth off my neck. “Not you in particular. I’m just used to keeping it to myself.”

“Well, I’d like to see them one day.” I finished the soup and pushed it away.

“Time for meds.”

I swallowed them down and rested back on the pillows.

“You should rest.”

When she went to leave, I grabbed her wrist. “Can you stay for a bit?”

Aria frowned. “Of course.”

“You didn’t need to go to work today?” I asked, glancing at the clock, which read nine-thirty.

“I called out. Ireland would have come, but she had to meet with a couple today.”

“You didn’t need to do that. I would have been fine.” Although I wasn’t sure I could have gotten up to get the pills and food.

“I don’t mind.”

I was enjoying her being in my space and taking care of me. “I can’t thank you enough for being here.”

“It’s what friends are for, right?” She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’ll probably head home in a bit and be back for dinner.”

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