Page 24 of Room 810

This couple, the way they gazed into each other’s eyes with such certainty, it was like they were alone, instead of in a crowded restaurant. It didn’t matter where in the world they were, because they were each other’s home. My heart ached; I wanted that for myself. For all the traveling I did, I had never allowed myself to slow down and wonder what that would be like—a relationship with someone special, a family. A home.

It was on this wave of unfamiliar warm thoughts that I turned back to Sawyer. “Give me some time to think about it, okay?” I said.

He grinned back. “It’s all I can ask.” Then he reached across the table to nudge my shoulder with a fist. “I knew it, you’re secretly nothing but a big softie, aren’t you.”

I snorted out a surprised laugh. “Don’t tell anyone.”

“Your secret is safe with me.”

14

Toby

Istareddownatthe plate in front of me, and two egg yolks stared back. They jiggled, and my stomach wobbled in reply.

“Ugh,” I grunted, pushing the offensive plate across the table and as far away from me as possible. “No eggs this morning.”

Birdie giggled as she scooped up my plate. “You’re looking a little green around the gills this morning, Toby. Party too hard at the bonfire last night? Oh no, please tell me you didn’t have too much of the local hooch. You know that’d send anyone into a tailspin.”

I wish it were that simple. Then I would just order one of Birdie’s hangover cures and be done with it. But in truth, I hadn’t been in the mood to drink at the bonfire last night. “Nothing like that,” I told her. “I couldn’t even stay awake for the party, I was too exhausted. I think I was in bed before the second kids’ movie even finished. Maybe I’m coming down with something…”

She winced. “I hope it’s not typhoid. Do you have a fever?” She slapped a hand to my forehead. “Headache?”

“No.” But even as I said it, a waft of the egg stink drifted back over, and my stomach clenched. I had to lean back and cover my nose as my stomach threatened to heave.

Luckily, Birdie correctly interpreted the look on my face, and she quickly whisked the plate away to the kitchen. When she came back, she looked serious. “Maybe you should head into town to see the doctor. Or go stateside, maybe?”

“I’m sure it’s not serious,” I told her flippantly, trying to brush away her concern, but she was having none of it.

“Whatever it is, you should definitely eat something. If you’re going to throw up, it’s always better to have something in your stomach.”

She had a point, and I was hungry—just not for eggs. “How about some toast, if you wouldn’t mind, Birdie? Rye?”

She smirked. “Lightly buttered? And maybe a coffee, black?”

I chuckled, feeling a little better as I sipped my water. “Maybe Gabe is on to something with his usual order. Sounds good to me.”

Pierre walked over to join us. “Uh, hey, boss? Some guests wanted to know if we have bikes to rent.”

“Yeah, there are a few over by—” I choked on my words as I got hit with an overpowering wave of fragrance. My face scrunched up. “Are you wearing new cologne?”

“Huh? No. Just sunscreen.” He lifted his arm and gave himself a sniff. “It’s the same one I always use. Why, do I stink?”

“Don’t mind him. He’s feeling a little under the weather this morning,” Birdie told him, shaking her head in dismay. “You don’t smell bad to me.”

“Ohhh, I get it,” Pierre said as understanding dawned, his expression clearing. “My sister had the same symptoms.” He nodded sagely.

My brows dipped down. “Your sister had typhoid?”

“What? Who said anything about typhoid?” We all looked back and forth, three masks of total confusion.

If it wasn’t a hangover and it wasn’t typhoid, what was it? My brain leapt to the memory of my father’s death. He’d texted me that he wasn’t feeling well right before he died. Oh gods! Was I about to have a heart attack? Was I dying?!

When nobody gave me the answer I needed, my anxiety came out in a huff. “Symptoms ofwhat?” I blurted.

But then Pierre gave me a funny look, his eyes darting back and forth between me and Birdie. “Um, of pregnancy?” The way he said it, I could almost hear the “duh” he hadn’t actually tacked on. “Isn’t that what we’re talking about?”

My jaw dropped, and Birdie burst out laughing. “Oh, that is too good,” she said, giggling.

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