Page 23 of Fearless to Love

Taking a pen and a small notebook out of his nightstand he held it out for me to write on. I quickly wrote my doctor’s name and he went to work on his phone looking up their phone number.

“I should also call Franca and let her know that I won’t be in today.” I felt guilty for making Franca work, but I really wanted Dante by my side. I only hoped she wouldn’t end up hating me for taking up so much of her brother’s time. “Why don’t you rest, and I’ll let you know what time your appointment is?”

I shook my head and patted the bed beside me. I wanted to cuddle up next to him. I felt better when he was by my side.

“Alright, I’ll stay.” He kissed my forehead again. Pulling out his phone from his pajama pants pocket, he dialed the number to my doctor’s office. I loved listening to him try to haggle an earlier time with my doctor. It was a little after nine and he’d managed to get me an appointment at eleven. He sure knew how to sweet talk the receptionist.

Clearing his throat, he nervously looked over at me. I had a feeling he thought Franca was going to be mad at him as well. “Here goes nothing.” He hit her name and waited for her to answer.

“What?” She answered loud enough for me to hear. “Do you know how early it is?”

“I’m sorry to wake you up, but Lily woke up sick and I need to take her to the doctor at eleven. I was hoping you could cover for me.”

“You’re lucky I like her, otherwise I would say tough shit. Are you going to be out the whole day?”

“Possibly, it depends on what the doctor says. I’m hoping Lily will stay here until she gets better. I’d hate for her to need something and be so far away.” He looked down at me and brushed some hair from my forehead.

I nodded and wrapped my arm around his waist. While I hated feeling like a burden, I didn’t want to be alone either. I hated the thought of Dante being almost an hour away from me.

“Fine, but you have to come in tomorrow because we have a meeting with the liquor distributor, and you have to take care of that.”

“I promise I’ll be there. Thank you, Franca, you’re the best.” Dante’s fingers slid through my hair relaxing me.

“I know, I am. I’m going to look through my resumes today for a manager and put any with potential on your desk.”

“Thanks. We need to find someone soon. I can’t work fourteen-hour days all the time.” He let out a frustrated sigh.

“I’m surprised it isn’t you who’s sick with the way you’ve been working. By the way, please don’t get sick. I can’t do this without you.”

“I’ll do my best. Call me if you need anything.” Setting his phone down, Dante slid down until he was lying next to me and wrapped me in his arms. “I hate that you’re sick and that it hurts to talk.”

I could only nod. Being a mute was not fun, but it was better than feeling like I was swallowing shards of glass. I’d run myself down, and I only had myself to blame. I was on a deadline and would work all day and night without much food or sleep. Now that I had Dante in my life, I knew I needed to start taking better care of myself.

I woke to Dante brushing his thumb over the apple of my cheek. When I opened my eyes and saw the warm look in his, I knew even though he hadn’t said anything that he loved me. “We should probably get dressed for your doctor's appointment. Do you need any help?” I shook my head and looked at the clock to see it was already ten. We’d lain in bed for an hour while I kept dozing off and Dante was working on his laptop. It made me feel a little better that he could get some work done.

Slowly, I climbed out of bed and put on the yoga pants and t-shirt I’d brought. I was cold and didn’t have anything else to wear, making me wish I’d brought a sweatshirt, but how was I to know I’d get sick. With my arms wrapped around myself, I sat on the bed to put on my socks and tennis shoes. I was more than happy I’d brought comfortable clothes to wear for the day.

“Are you cold?” Dante asked as he stepped out of the bathroom dressed and freshly shaven.

A shiver ripped through me, providing his answer. He stepped back into the bathroom and came out with a thick grey sweatshirt. “Here put this on. When we get back, I can give you a pair of sweatpants or pajama pants if you’re still cold.”

Thanks, I mouthed.

“Are you ready to go?”

After I nodded, he picked me up and carried me down the stairs. This was starting to get ridiculous, but I didn’t have much energy, so it was probably a good thing that I didn’t fall down the stairs and break my arm or leg. Dante had his phone give him directions while I rested my head on the car door window and watched the city pass me by. It didn’t take us long to reach my doctor’s office. Dante helped me out of the car and was right by my side the entire time. He really was a good boyfriend. He let me rest against him while I sat on the exam table until my doctor knocked on the door.

Dr. Presley was getting on in age, but he’d been my doctor for as long as I could remember, and I was going to be sad when he retired. His hair had gone entirely white along with his big bushy eyebrows. As a child, I always loved how expressive they were.

“What brings you in today, Lily?” Dr. Presley asked as he walked inside. When he spotted Dante standing next to me, he gave him a once over before shaking his hand. “I’m Dr. Presley, Lily’s doctor.”

Dante wrapped an arm around my shoulders and introduced himself. “I’m Dante Ricci, Lily’s boyfriend.” Butterflies took flight, and I wondered if they’d ever stop when he called himself my boyfriend.

“It’s nice to meet you. I must say in all the years I’ve been seeing Lily, I don’t think she’s ever brought in a boyfriend.”

I looked up to see a shit-eating grin on Dante’s face.

“Lily’s had a fever and I gave her some ibuprofen, but the main reason we’re here is because her throat hurts. She hasn’t talked all morning.”

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