Page 20 of Blame It On the Lattes

Ten

Avery

Iwoke up to my headpounding and my body aching. I pulled the blanket tighter around me, shivering against the cold. I had no idea what time it was, but my body desperately wanted more sleep.

I heard Kennedy’s soft voice and knew that wasn’t an option. She was up, which meant I needed to get up. I climbed out of bed and pulled on an extra hoodie, hoping that would help warm me up. When I stopped in the bathroom to relieve myself, I noticed the pale color of my skin and knew that I had caught whatever it was that Kennedy had.

It sucked being sick, but moms didn’t get sick days, so I brushed my teeth, splashed some cold water on my face, and told myself that I would make the best of today.

By the time I got to the kitchen, I found Sam at the stove making scrambled eggs. The smell immediately made me queasy as I leaned down to kiss Kennedy on the head.

“Good morning,” I said, taking a seat beside her as a shiver ran through me.

“Morni—” Sam started but then stopped when he saw me. “Woah. Are you okay?”

“Is that your polite way of saying I look like shit this morning?” I teased, trying to force my eyes open.

“Not at all.” He turned the burner off and removed the pan from the heat as he walked over and stood in front of me. His eyes quickly scanned my face as he lifted his hand and rested it against my forehead.

“Avery, you’re burning up.”

“I know. I think I caught what Kennedy had. Don’t stand too close. I don’t want to give it to you, too,” I warned, trying to pull away from his touch but slightly losing my balance on the chair. His hands reached out and steadied me.

“I could care less about getting sick,” he said softly. “I care about you and getting you well. You should go back to bed and rest.”

“Thank you, but I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

I glanced down at Kennedy and raised my eyebrows so he would get the point.

“I can take care of Kennedy,” he offered. “We’ll have a fun day together.”

“I appreciate the offer,” I replied before stopping to cough into my arm. “But really, I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine, Avery. Not by a long shot. You need rest, fluids, and some medicine to break that fever.”

“All stuff I can do while I’m awake and taking care of her,” I objected.

“I have to go potty,” Kennedy said, interrupting us.

I smiled as Sam helped her down from the chair before she rushed off down the hallway, more comfortable here than she had been at our old house.

“Look, I know you’re just trying to help, but you don’t have to,” I said while Kennedy was out of ear shot. “I’m used to doing this while I’m sick. It’s just part of being a mom.”

“While I appreciate and respect that, I’m telling you that you don’thaveto. I’m here and happy to help. Trust me, she will be fine with me taking care of her. If it makes you feel better, I’ll call Cassidy and ask her for help. But I’m not going to stand here and fight with you on this. You need rest, and one way or another, I’m going to make sure you get it.”

“Sam,” I objected with a heavy breath.

He pinned me with a look as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. His fingers moved quickly across the screen before he pressed it to his ear and waited, eyes still glued firmly to mine.

“Hey, Cass. Avery is sick and I’m taking care of Kennedy today. Do you want to come have hot chocolate and lots of junk food while we decorate my house?”

I stared at him in disbelief, attempting to shake my head at him until a sneeze overcame me.

“Cool. I’ll see you in half an hour. Be sure to stop by Sugarplum Sweets and get some of those truffles and sugar cookies.”

I pointed a finger at him in warning, letting him know he was going to be in trouble for all of the sweets when he decided to up the ante.

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