The pain in my ear was unbearable as I tried to turn from one side to the other on the pillow.
Oh no, why did I even try it?
Oh, that’s right, my phone is ringing.
I blindly answered, putting it to my good ear.
“How are you feeling?” It was Tate’s voice.
“Like I was hit by a truck, and every time I try to get out of bed, the same thing happens.”
“What happened?”
“Apparently I didn’t properly get the water out of my ear when I went swimming with Paisley. I nagged her into doing it, and I forgot to do it myself. And now I have an infection. At least that was the doctor’s explanation.”
“Do you have everything you need?” he asked, voice full of concern.
I was melting already.
“Yes, I have my medicine.”
“Food?”
“I haven’t eaten since yesterday. Swallowing hurts my ears. Right now, I’m super proud that I had enough energy to answer the phone.”
“Okay. I’ll be at your place in half an hour.”
My eyes widened. “What? No. You don’t have to come here to check on me.”
“Yes, I do. You’re sick. I dropped off Paisley with Gran. I’m coming by your place.”
“Tate.”
“Lexi,” he countered.
“It’s really not necessary.”
“I’m coming over.”
Well, I couldn’t argue with him when he went all alpha like this, even when I felt perfectly healthy. Now I had no prayer of resisting him.
“Okay, thanks,” I whispered.
After hanging up, I got out of bed and headed to the shower. I’d only washed up in the sink yesterday since I’d been feeling a bit off-kilter, and I was a bit stinky. I moved at a slower pace than usual, but I was happy that I wasn’t nauseous anymore, only a bit dizzy.
I barely had time to dress before the doorbell rang. I hurried to open it.
Tate stood in the doorway with a paper bag and a smaller plastic one, looking me up and down. “You don’t look so well.”
“Thanks for making me feel better,” I said on a laugh. “But I need to sit. I only had enough energy to come open the door for you.”
Dizzy again, I went straight to the couch to sit down and pull a throw over me. I loved cuddling in blankets on the couch, even in the summer. The kitchen counter was opposite where I was sitting, and I watched Tate with fascination as he took out containers of food from the paper bag.
He’d brought me food? Wow, I couldn’t believe he was so thoughtful. That I was so important to him.
“I got you some stuff, okay? Easy things you can eat, like soup, so you can stay hydrated.”
“Thanks. That’s really nice of you. When did you even do this?”
“I stopped by a deli on the way here.”
He moved with efficiency in my kitchen, putting everything in the fridge. He looked up at me from time to time. My body buzzed every time our gazes crossed.
Once he’d emptied the bag, he came and sat next to me. The couch sank under his weight. Even though I felt shitty from my ear infection, I couldn’t help but notice his stubble and the way he smelled. It wasn’t just his cologne; he smelled like the outdoors.
“Did you go to a doctor?”
“Yes. They gave me drops and antibiotics. They can’t tell for sure when the pain will go away. Could be two days, maybe more. Apparently it depends on my body. I hate it when they say that.”
He chuckled, but his gaze was hard. “What is this about you quitting, Lexi?”
I sighed, unsure where to begin. I avoided his gaze. It was too much to handle right now. It felt as if he saw right through me.
“Well, clearly I can’t keep myself from flirting. You want to protect Paisley, and I totally understand that, and I’m a bit mad at myself because I stepped over my personal code of conduct, which is all the more proof that you’re irresistible. And now I’m full-on rambling. And then you showed up with food, and… I mean, am I dreaming?”
I looked up at him because he was suspiciously silent. To my astonishment, amusement danced in his eyes.
“You’re fucking adorable,” he said.
“Because I’m rambling?”
“You just are.” He tucked the blanket under my chin, resting his hand on my shoulder. I liked feeling his warm hand over me.
“What did you and Paisley do today?”
“We went to one of the vineyards and walked around checking the grapes. Nora also wrote to tell me that she might not be able to take Paisley on the vacation she promised this fall.”
“Oh no. How did Paisley take it?”
“In stride.”
I could feel him putting up walls around himself. I couldn’t explain how, but I felt it. But then a smile inched over his features, as if he was inwardly laughing at a private joke. “Paisley and I actually talked about me dating this evening. She says she can find me a nice lady.”
“That does sound like her.” I frowned, not understanding where he was going with this. My heart rate intensified. “So what are you saying?” I whispered.
He cleared his throat, looking straight at me and bringing his fingers under my chin again. “I don’t want you to worry about anything. Take extra days off to get back on your feet. Tomorrow is the Fourth of July anyway, so stay home and relax. I’m taking care of you, and then we’ll see.”
“Tate…”
“Lexi…”
“You don’t have to take care of me.”
“But I want to. And I will. No discussion.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, okay, then, Mr. Alpha.”
The next morning, I wondered if I dreamed that Tate was here last evening, being all swoon-worthy and stocking my fridge. I already felt better. The pain had dulled a bit, but my eyes still watered if I moved my head too briskly. The doctor said ear infections can affect the nose and eyes too, and I was definitely feeling it.
I went to the kitchen and opened the fridge to check if I had any yogurt. I gasped, seeing the containers of food.
Oh wow. I hadn’t imagined it! Tate really had been here.
I pressed a hand to my chest, smiling. The man was definitely something else.
Taking out my phone, I texted him.
Lexi: Thanks again for the food. I actually thought I imagined your visit last night.
Tate: Feeling better?
Lexi: A bit, yeah. I’m thinking of having a smoothie… but it’s green.
Tate: ???????
Lexi: I’m wary of green drinks.
He responded after a few seconds.
Tate: I’ve only ever heard Paisley say stuff like that.
Lexi: Probably why I like kids so much. How is she doing?
Tate: She’s with Gran.
Figured. Early on he’d asked me if I could also work on the Fourth because he had clients in town.
Lexi: Is she upset?
Tate: No. Don’t worry about anything. Focus on getting better, okay?
I did worry about disappointing her if I didn’t go back, though. And after what Tate told me about discussing dating with Paisley, I was even more confused than before. What did it mean?
My heart thundered just thinking about him.
I braced myself to take a sip of the smoothie, and to my astonishment, it wasn’t bad. It had a cooling effect on me, and swallowing didn’t hurt my ear like it had before.
I felt much better than the day before, but not enough to leave my apartment, so I settled on the couch with Netflix.
Jenny and Ella texted me a pic of them at camp, with the caption “Happy 4th of July.”
I sent them back a pic of me pouting, and they immediately called. I spent half an hour with them on the phone and then intended to rewatch Reign, but midway through the first episode, I realized I wasn’t paying attention. I was thinking about Tate’s conversation with Paisley again.
Grabbing my phone, I almost texted to ask him about it, but I deleted the message. I wasn’t ready to have that conversation yet. I couldn’t trust myself not to start rambling again. What if he started saying something swoon-worthy again? I’d ramble for sure.
I didn’t know what to do. I needed advice, so I called my mom.
“Hey, sweetheart. How are you feeling?” she asked.
“Much better than yesterday.”
“Do you have any food?” she asked in a crisp voice, making me smile, reminding me of the old version of Mom, when she was younger and stronger, before her heart problems began. I was happy that she sounded more like her old self.
“Yes, I do, actually. Tate stopped by with food yesterday.”
“Tate, your employer?”
“Yes.” I hesitated a bit. “Mom, there’s something I need to tell you.”
In a rush, I told her about my attraction to Tate, that it was mutual, and I wasn’t sure what to do.
“And I don’t know if it’s even worth thinking about. I mean, I’m a teacher. Going out with a parent feels a bit wrong.” Not to mention he was my employer, but that was temporary and didn’t feel as daunting.
“Darling, I was a teacher too, so I understand where you’re coming from, but Paisley’s not a student at your school. I don’t see why that should be a problem. You’re too hard on yourself. Or is there something more?”
She could always see right through me. “I’m afraid I could fall for him, Mom. He seems a bit closed off. I think it’s because of his divorce.”
“There’s no way of knowing what you can have without taking a risk, honey.”
“I was afraid you might say that,” I said. “Maybe I needed to hear it. How are you feeling? Is Dad spoiling you?”
“Oh, yes he is. He’s been cooking up a storm lately.”
That sounded like Dad.
I spoke a bit longer with Mom before hanging up. Glancing at my phone, I realized I had messages from both Jenny and Ella. They were asking how I was feeling.
I took a picture of myself with my smoothie and fully stocked fridge and sent it in the group chat I had with both of them.
Lexi: I’m feeling better today. My off-limits but irresistible employer stopped by with food.
Jenny: He did what? Girl, I’m liking this guy.
Ella: I second that. I really, really like him.
Oh yeah. So do I.
For the rest of the day, Paisley and Tate were front and center in my mind, along with Mom’s words. It wouldn’t be fair to either of them if I left right now. And deep down, I didn’t really want to. But I had no idea where that left me with Tate, so I worked up the courage to text him that evening… after I received a food delivery. He’d sent me more soup.
Lexi: Hi. Thanks for the soup. I’m feeling much better. I can come back tomorrow morning. I thought about the job, and I’m staying.
Tate: Did you also think about me?
I chuckled. That’s his response?
Lexi: How could I not, what with the soup and the smoothie?
My heart was beating fast.
Tate: You know what I mean.
I bit my lip, hesitating before typing back.
Lexi: Hmm… not really. You said we’ll talk when I’m better. I’m better now.
I added three smiley faces before sending it.
Tate: I know, but I’d rather we talk face-to-face, and I can’t come over now, or even call. I’m reading Paisley her bedtime story.
And just like that, my heart was in swoon mode again imagining him reading to his daughter.
Tate: But tomorrow evening, you and I will talk.
I took a long time before I answered, somehow feeling that if I did, it would turn over a new leaf.
Lexi: Okay.
Mom was right, and I was ready to take this risk.
