Page 41 of Finding Romance
“Some special pool chemical, why?” Kasen asks as he gets out of the hot tub and holds out his hand. I take it and curse under my breath.
“I think I’m allergic to it,” I groan.
“Come on, let’s go get you some medicine,” he says as he leads me back downstairs. I know this isn’t a third pretend date, but it’s starting to feel like it. All of this is starting to feel very not pretend and I sort of like that. But does Kasen?
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Kasen
I knock on Cornelia and Margie’s door the next afternoon. I’d texted Piper in the morning and she claimed she was fine, but I need to see it for myself. Margie opens the door.
“Well, hello there. Kasen’s here!” she calls out as she ushers me inside. I walk into the living room, where I find Cornelia sitting up with one boot-clad foot and leg propped on an ottoman.
I frown. “Is the chair not working?” I walk over to examine the footrest of the chair.
She waves me away. “It’s fine. I just wanted my good leg to feel normal for a few minutes. Next week, I’m allowed to start putting a little weight on it,” she says with a big grin.
“That’s good news,” I reply as I look around for Piper but don’t see her. She had quite a few hives after the hot tub last night and insisted she just needed some allergy meds and a good night’s sleep. I had given her some allergy medicine but then she had said she didn’t want to bother me if she needed more, and before I could protest, she left.
“She’s resting in my room,” Cornelia says. “Quite the allergic reaction she had. Good thing you gave her that allergy medicine right away. I fortunately still had some cream for her to put on it.”
I don’t move, unsure of what to do. If I run down the hall, will I look desperate? This is all supposed to be for practice, not for real.
“Why don’t you go check on her?” Margie suggests. “I’m filling in with our patient out here.”
She motions to Cornelia, who rolls her eyes. “I’m fine. This ankle has so much metal in it, it might as well be made of titanium.”
I give them a nod and head down the hall, stopping at Cornelia’s door. I knock, but there’s no answer. I crack open the door and find a very passed-out Piper. I walk into the room and sit on the edge of the bed. Her hair is fanned out over the pillow. Her skin looks better but she still has a few hives on her chest and arms. I feel awful. It’s my fault she’s hurting. I start to stand but her hand flies out and grabs my arm.
“Kasen, don’t go,” she whispers as she opens her eyes.
I kick off my shoes and crawl onto the bed, pulling her against me gently. I kiss the top of her head as she snuggles into my chest. “You OK, little escape artist?” I ask.
“I’m better now,” she sighs as her body relaxes. I stroke her hair.
“When did you last take medicine?” I ask.
“An hour ago,” she murmurs, her voice barely audible.
“Go to sleep,” I urge because she clearly needs a nap.
I sit there in silence as I watch her fall back asleep, wondering what I should do next. I haven’t wanted more with a woman in a long time. But right now, holding her, I feel free from all my nightmares. Every past trauma has melted away. I’m calm and I’m never calm. It’s only been a few weeks since I met her, and I can already feel the ways she’s changing me.
I hold her tighter, afraid if I don’t, she’ll disappear. Eventually, her soft breaths lull me to sleep too.
“Wake up, sleeping beauties. It’s happy hour time,” Margie’s voice calls out from the door.
I open my eyes and realize I fell asleep. Piper stirs in my arms. I look down and see her welts are lessening. I only see one or two left. Her face is completely back to normal.
“How do you feel?” I ask.
She’s quiet for a beat as she assesses herself. “Better,” she finally says as she sits up and looks around.
“I…I’m sorry,” she whispers.
“For what?”
“I fell asleep on you,” she says quietly.
