Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“Parker.” Vanessa’s voice carries through the apartment. My eyes move until they land on hers, clad in an oversized hoodie with Columbia University in faded letters. It looks like it was once hers when she was in college. Her legs are devoid of any clothing, and I have to get ahold of myself at the thought of her possibly not wearing anything beneath the sweatshirt.
“I have your medicine. Don’t worry, I asked the pharmacist what you should take. The sore throat is throwing me for a loop. Maybe we should go to one of those minute clinics or a walk-in clinic?”
“Thank you. You’re doing so much for me, too much, really. Please, you can head home. I really don’t want you to get sick, and a clinic isn’t necessary. It’s probably a virus, which means it has to run its course.” She’s got her hands covered by the cuffs of her sleeves, which makes her look younger than the thirty-two years I know Vanessa is. Yeah, I did my fucking homework once I got home from my time with Ezra.
“I don’t get sick,” I tell her again. Maybe she forgot me telling her on the phone and needs to be reminded. The pills are on the counter. I pick them up and tear through the foil until the pills pop loose, grab a glass from the cabinet, press the glass to the ice dispenser until there’s enough in it since the soda hasn’t had enough time to cool in her fridge, and then pour her a glass. “When I say I don’t get sick, it’s been well over twenty years since I’ve had so much as a cough.” I make my way towards her, holding out the pills until she gives me the palm of her hand to drop them in.
“There’s a time for everything. It’s been years since I have been, too. So, I guess it was time. Which sucks because we’re already short on nurses at work, and I’m not helping.” As soon as she tips her head back, placing the pills at the back of her throat, Nessa reaches for the glass, and yet again, my mind is in the goddamn gutter.
“I’ll take my chances. Now, ass on the couch. I’ll make your bed once you tell me where the spare sheets are.” Vanessa Taylor does what I least expect. She rolls her eyes and spins on her heel, ass shaking as she walks towards the couch, and fuck me, she’s got nothing on beneath the hoodie.
“Bathroom closet. I’ll never be able to repay you, and you won’t leave, but I’m too tired and hurt too much to argue.” She sits down on the couch, lifting her legs up on the coffee table, grabs a blanket, and slowly sips on her drink.
“Good, and I’m not doing this for repayment.” I don’t tell her the real reason, of how she makes me feel for the first time in too many years to count.
TWELVE
Nessa
This stubborn man, he’s bound and determined to get this stupid virus. Then he’ll have the man cold. We all know what that means. He’ll be on a war path or bemoan day in and day out how it’s the worst cold ever. I may not have had a boyfriend for a while, given I took a hiatus after the last one’s life goal was to live in his parents’ house until they died and have a place to live without paying any bills, let alone have a permanent job he could hold down for more than three months. That’s a subject I prefer not to touch on, especially because there’s a certain man who has his body wrapped around mine, leg wedged between mine, my back to his front, Parker’s warm hand on my lower stomach. The man cold I remember is definitely from my father. It could be the smallest little thing, and he’d complain for days on end. Meanwhile, Mom would have the same side effects, acting like nothing was wrong.
“Are you feeling any better?” Parker asks behind me. I don’t even know when he got in bed with me. The last thing I remember is falling asleep on the couch after he was adamant I drank more of the lemon lime soda and ate a bowl of soup, focusing on the broth to keep me hydrated. I was dead to the world, which means my mouth was more than likely open since my nose is clogged one minute and draining the next. Parker is definitely not seeing the good side of me this weekend.
“I think so. Time will tell. At least I’m not working today or tomorrow.” I’d sent a quick text to my lead nurse, and she said to play it by ear. “I can rest, do laundry, and maybe get my appetite back.” I move slowly until I’m on my back, unsure how to navigate this. The man did give me mixed signals. Doing a complete turnaround within twelve hours has me hesitating what comes next.