Page 31 of Miss Treated

He let out a long breath. “I normally take a Xanax.”

“Do you have one now?”

“No, I didn’t bring them this time.”

“Why not?”

“Because I stupidly wanted to impress a girl and not pass out the moment I got in my seat.”

Wait, what? “Me?”

He turned, smiling. “Yeah, how am I doing? Madly in love with me yet?”

A giggle escaped me. He was ridiculous. But I realized his humor was masking a real fear when he downed the rest of the bourbon and gripped the arm rests.

“Dominic.”

He fastened his big brown eyes on me. “Please call me Nic. If we’re going down in this plane, call me Nic at least one time.”

His drama made me grin. “Okay, Nic. What can I do to help?”

“Nothing. I’m good. Or I will be once we’re in the air.” His last word was a whisper as the pilot made the turn and pressed on the gas. We were taking off.

I took his hand and winced when he gripped it tight. He really was freaking out. “There must be something I can do.”

“Sing to me?”

“What? No. I can’t sing.”

“Tell me a story, then. Anything.”

I was better off singing because I didn’t have the type of stories worth retelling. “I—”

“Tell me about your family. The ones you like.”

“Okay. My oldest brother, Chance, was all business, and the never-settle-down type until he met his match in Tory. She’s his girlfriend now.”

“Yeah?” He turned toward me, completely riveted.

“Yeah, and Tory has this little girl, Penelope, although everyone calls her Penny. She’s incredible. She’s been fighting leukemia and is the bravest girl I’ve ever met.” It wasn’t official yet, as Chance and Tory wanted to wait until Penny was done with all her treatments before they tied the knot, but I already felt like her aunt.

“What is her prognosis?” There was a catch in his throat.

“It’s good. She’s progressing onto the next stage of her treatment and feeling stronger every day. We’re all hopeful the worst is behind her.”

“I hope so too. She sounds like an amazing little girl. Do you have a picture?”

Taking out my phone, I scrolled until I found one we’d taken last month while we were at the beach. It wasn’t until I passed the device to him that I realized I was wearing a bikini in the photo. I reached for it, but he held it away from my hand. “No, you don’t. She’s adorable.”

My entire face heated from the way he stared at the picture. He finally returned my phone. “You look happy there.”

“I was.” Making new friends in Tory and Daisy, spending time with my brother, and meeting Penny had all given me a joy I’d never known.

“Where is Penny getting her treatment?”

“Children’s Hospital in LA.”

“Good. It’s an incredible hospital. Actually, the charity gala I went to on Friday was for Children’s.”