Page 164 of Coveted

“I’m fine. I don’t need help.”

But the way she braces her arm to her ribs says otherwise.

“You mean you don’t need help from me,” I say, lowering back into my seat.

“I don’t mean it like that.” Sadie pauses. “I just don’t want you worried about me.”

The laugh that leaves me is rough and exhausted. “At this point, I’m made up entirely of my worry for you. At least let me call the doctor. Maybe you need more painkillers.”

“No. My head feels so foggy. If I take any more meds, I’ll never get up.”

Frowning in concentration, she struggles to drag the juice cup to the edge of the tray. Her fingers fumble with the foil cover, eventually casting it aside.

Then she stares balefully at the cup, readjusting her hand but not lifting it.

I can hardly bear it, but I don’t act, as instructed.

Her fingers go slack. Her brows knit, like she’s thinking about something deeply.

I wait.

Sadie looks up. “Lucan?”

The vulnerability in her eyes kills me.

“Yes?” I ask.

“I’m having trouble with this. Would you help me, please?”

Warmth spreads through my chest. “Yes.”

I hold the cup for her while she drinks, her hand laid over mine.

The act seems more intimate than almost anything else we’ve done, and I wonder if she feels that way too.

“Can you eat?” I ask, when she’s finished drinking.

“I don’t think my stomach’s awake yet. Soon, maybe.”

“Okay. If there’s anything you feel like eating, tell me and I’ll get it.”

A complicated look settles over her beautiful features.

“You will,” she says quietly. “I know you will.”

I don’t push her. Not now.

Sadie’s hand, resting on the blanket, opens toward me. She beckons once with her pointer, her shy gaze on me.

My heart grows fifty sizes. I thread my fingers through hers and squeeze gently, rubbing my thumb against her wrist.

“Try to sleep some more,” I say.

Her eyelids droop and her voice sounds far away. “You’ll be here?”

“I’ll be here.”

“Good,” she murmurs.