Page 94 of A Poisonous Plot

After a few deep breaths, her shoulders relaxed somewhat, but she still felt far too tightly wound.

“Good call on getting Ted to do all the work,” a soft voice said.

“You’re supposed to be in the hospital,” she snapped as she swung around. Her breath hitched at the sight of Flynn looking dishevelled and deathly pale.

“I figured a trip to the ice cream shop wouldn’t kill me.”

“Maybe not, butImight.” She crossed the room and tilted her head. “You look like death. What on earth possessed you to leave the hospital?”

“I promised you moral support. And you know I don’t like to miss out on your little adventures.”

“Do you feel as bad as you look?” she asked.

He shrugged and his solemn gaze bored into her. “Doyou?”

“I’m fine,” she insisted, but tears filled her eyes.

Flynn’s arms wrapped around her and she sank into his embrace. With her face nestled against his neck, she inhaled the scent of him and felt her tense muscles relax.

“I was so bloody worried about you,” she mumbled against his skin.

He kissed the top of her head. “It was only a scratch.”

Stepping back, she wiped stray tears from the corners of her eyes. “You look as though you might be about to pass out.”

“It’s a definite possibility. The doctor really wasn’t joking about the lethargy. I feel as though I could sleep for a week.”

She touched his cheek and looked at him sternly. “You are such a pain in the bum sometimes. I’m opening a shop today and you want me to play nursemaid too?”

“Moral support,” he whispered, then swayed as though he might seriously be about to collapse.

Lily kept a hold of his arm but stepped towards the doorway and scanned the crowd of Trenearys before calling out to Jago.

His head whipped in her direction and she beckoned him with a flick of her hand.

“What have I done?” he asked, grimacing as he walked into the back room.

“Nothing.”

“Why are you scowling at me, then?”

“My scowl is directed at this idiot.” She moved closer to Flynn, who was definitely swaying.

Jago smiled. “I thought you were still in the hospital.”

“I got bored,” Flynn told him.

“Can you do me a favour and help him upstairs?” she asked.

“I’m fine,” Flynn argued, but stumbled when he took a step. Jago moved quickly and took hold of his arm.

“Put him in my bed,” Lily said. “He’s not supposed to be up and about.”

“I can manage to get upstairs,” Flynn said, but looked dubiously at the staircase in the corner.

“Do you know how annoyed I’ll be if you collapse and fall down the stairs while I have a shop full of people to deal with?” Lily resumed scowling at him. “Just let Jago help you.”

“Fine, but I’ll only sleep for an hour, then I’ll come and help you.”

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