Page 72 of Cluelessly Yours

“I just…I feel so badly.” She sighs and sets the bag of food on the island that now stands between us. “And I can’t believe how many times the kids have been sick this year. Do they sell memberships to doctor’s offices? Hospitals? Because I’m starting to think I better sign up now if they do.” Sammy laughs, but self-deprecation is rife in every peal, and I can’t stop myself from rounding the island and pulling her into my arms.

“Hey, it’s okay.” I hug her long enough for her body to relax against mine.

“I’m a mess, Noah,” she whispers against my chest as she wraps her arms around my waist.

“You’re not a mess. You’re a mom who just spent the last eight hours cleaning up puke.”

“Technically, I’ve been cleaning up puke since four this morning.” She snorts. “But who’s counting, right?”

I chuckle and press a soft kiss to the top of her head. “Fourteen hours of vomit duty would push anyone over the edge.”

“I also made the stupid mistake of opening the hospital bill from Grant’s arm.” She takes a step away from my embrace to point to the opened envelope on the counter. “I nearly passed out when I saw how much I owe.”

“Listen, don’t do anything with that bill yet. I’ll talk to administration,” I offer immediately. “I’m sure I can get them to knock it down.”

Frankly, there’s a good chance I can get Dr. McCormick to write off Grant’s surgery as pro bono. And if I can’t, I’ll anonymously pay some of it. I know Sammy’s doing well for herself at the restaurant, but she’s still a single mom on a budget in one of the most expensive cities in the world. I’ll do whatever I can to make sure this isn’t another thing on her already-full plate.

“Thank you. Seriously. I…I don’t know how I’m going to handle all of this, but I will.”

“I’ll help. Anytime you let me.”

“Be careful saying that. I may just overwhelm you.”

“Well, that works out perfectly because I’m looking to be whelmed a lot more than I currently am.” I flash a wink at her. “I’m sadly underwhelmed, to be honest.”

“Oh,c’mon,Noah.”

“What? I’m a single guy in my forties. My only responsibilities include my job and my dog. And we both know Dolly gives zero hassle. I could use a little more difficulty in my life, you know? It’s character building.”

Sammy chews at her bottom lip before waving toward the bag of food. “Well, if you’re going to stay, the least I can do is heat up the food you brought so you can sit down and eat.”

I smile. “I didn’t bring it for me. I brought it for you and the boys.”

“Yeah, well, Seth is passed out with whatever viral torture we’re dealing with right now, and about an hour ago, Grant decided to go lie in bed too. I’m praying he isn’t getting sick, but I’ll just say, he’s not prone to taking naps without beating me over the head with a proverbial club first. Needless to say, I’m going to need some help eating it.”

“You could save it for—”

“Noah, don’t make me eat alone!”

“What I meant to say was…of course,” I agree on a chortle. “Pass the soup.”

Sammy’s laugh is refreshing.

“Seriously, though. Go sit down,” I say and step forward to place my hands on her shoulders and turn her body toward the living room. “I’ll get everything heated up and bring it out to you. I know you’re exhausted.”

“Bone-weary would be putting it lightly,” Sammy admits guiltily. “But I didn’t let you in so you could wait on me while I sit on the couch.”

“Ah, but thatiswhy I came in. So let me do it.”

She stares at me for a long moment, and I respond by pressing a soft kiss to her lips.

“Go sit down. I’ve got this.”

She finally shrugs and heads for the couch while I round the counter and pull out the large container of chicken noodle soup and the bread bag filled with a loaf of sourdough.

I set the oven to preheat so I can warm up the bread and put a pan on the stove for the soup. Sammy’s head lolls back on the couch, and instead of talking, I try to move around as quietly as I can. Her exhaustion is written all over her pretty face. Catering to me is the last thing I want her to feel like she needs to do.

“Did you end up taking Dolly to Brooke’s today?” she asks, but her voice sounds drowsy as she shifts her body to a more upright position on the couch.

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