Page 54 of Summer Affair

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Are you okay?” Kara asked as she ran her eyes over her face.

Andrea managed a weak smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I think I need to go home early,” she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. “I’m not feeling well.”

Kara nodded immediately, her expression softening with sympathy. “Of course, you should rest. Don’t worry about things here; I’ll handle the schedule, move some clients around and cover for you.” She reached out, giving Andrea’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “Just take care of yourself, okay?”

Grateful for Kara’s understanding, Andrea nodded. “Thank you,” she whispered, feeling a lump in her throat. She quickly gathered her things and headed out of the building, her steps unsteady. The weight of the past few moments pressed heavily on her shoulders, making the short walk to her car feel like a marathon.

The pain from her cramps had doubled and all she could think about was putting a heating pad on her stomach and curling up in the tightest ball she could.

As she drove home, the familiar streets blurred past her, and she felt a growing sense of relief at the thought of her bed. By the time she reached her front door, exhaustion had settled deep into her bones. She was doubled over from pain as she fumbled with her keys. When she finally managed to unlock the door, she practically fell inside.

The quiet of her home enveloped her as she dropped her bag just inside the door and kicked off her shoes, not caring where they landed. All she could think about was the sanctuary of her bed. The warmth of it. The safety of being home.

Andrea made her way to her bedroom, her legs feeling like lead. She didn’t bother changing out of her work clothes. She simply collapsed onto the mattress, the cool sheets a welcome relief against her somehow flushed skin. She pulled the covers over her, cocooning herself in the soft fabric.

As she lay there, the events of the day replayed in her mind. Amy’s outburst, the worry of their strained relationship, and the uncertainty with Dean—all of it swirled together, leaving her feeling emotionally raw. The weight of it all was too much to bear, and she felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes.

Her insides were on fire. Maybe her uterus was trying to kill her? Were they exploding? Could it? It felt as if she’d been punched in the gut and everything was vibrating at warp speed.

But even as more tears slipped down her cheek, exhaustion finally took over. Her body craved rest, and she drifted off into a deep sleep. The world outside faded away, and for a few precious hours, she escaped into the comforting darkness, shutting out everything.

As the sun set, she was awakened by a gentle knock on her door. She opened it to find Dean standing there, holding a container of chicken soup. His concern was evident as he stepped inside and set the food on the kitchen counter.

“I heard what happened,” Dean said softly, pulling her into a comforting embrace. “I thought you might not feel like cooking, so I brought you something to eat.”

She managed a tired smile. “Thanks,” she whispered against his chest, feeling a little better just having him there.

They sat on her sofa, and she got down half a cup of the soup with a few crackers. Just having him there was comforting. He rubbed her shoulders, brushed her hair, and even tried to braid it.

After that, they snuggled up together on the sofa while she rested her head on his shoulder. She felt the tension in her body starting to melt away again just being this close to him. They watched a movie, and the soft hum of the show in the background caused her to relax even more.

Eventually, they both dozed off, wrapped up in each other’s arms. It was a peaceful, much-needed reprieve. She couldn’t remember feeling this relaxed about telling a man she had major cramps and had just come home sick because of them.

The next morning, they woke up early, still entwined on the sofa. They shared a sleepy smile and then enjoyed the quiet and still of the morning together.

Thankfully, she was feeling a little better. She was still dealing with a heavy flow and cramps, but they weren’t as bad as the day before. She was almost back to her normal self, and after packing up a few essentials for the day, they made their way to the docks at the camp. They made sure to stop by the dining area quickly, where they picked up a couple of breakfast sandwiches and some drinks to go.

Dean opted for a hearty sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich, while Andrea chose a lighter option with avocado and egg on whole grain bread. They also grabbed a couple of iced coffees, knowing they’d need the caffeine kick for their day out on the water.

With their breakfast in hand, they walked together to the dock, the anticipation of the day ahead adding a spring to their steps. The morning sun was already warming the air, promising perfect weather for their little adventure. They made their way to Damion’s new catamaran, which was docked and ready for them.

The boat would easily be comfortable for six guests. There were soft beanbag chairs that sat directly in front of a bright blue netting that made up almost half of the deck of the boat.

They stowed their things on the boat and made sure everything was secure.

“You do know how to drive this thing, right?” she asked.

He chuckled. “I’ve been out on it more than a half dozen times with Damion. The last three he’s let me take the helm.”

As Dean untied the ropes and prepared to set sail, she settled into a comfortable spot, unwrapping her sandwich and taking a bite as she held her iced coffee between her knees.

Dean cleared the dock, then turned on the engine and steered them towards the open water of the bay.

Once they were on their way, he took a sip of his iced coffee and grinned over at her.

“Ready for a day of adventure?” he asked with a wink.

She laughed at him. “You make a fine captain.”