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Con gently removed the tie from her hair, his hands caressing her face. His lips pressed against her forehead in a gentle kiss had Katy breathing him in, all spice and man. She relaxed back onto the cushions, no longer fighting him. His murmured words were quiet, just like the rest of the room had become, as he soothed her. His slow movements kept her from jerking too much, even as he peeled away the blankets she’d wrapped around herself. “You’re so damn beautiful,” he whispered, before kissing her temple softly. Katy closed her eyes and sighed, wishing just for a minute that he was hers to love.
“Does Lee know you’re sick?”
“No,” she croaked. “He’s filming all day.”
“You’re too sick to be by yourself, Cupcake. Why didn’t you call me?” Con ran his fingers through her hair, his gaze holding so much warmth, but at the same time, sadness.
“You left.” Katy closed her eyes, trying to hide the tears welling in them. “I didn’t think you wanted to see us anymore.” It’d hurt when he’d moved out, especially because of the way he did it. She was pissed with him, but mostly he’d broken her heart. Knowing that he didn’t want them anymore had flayed her. But she’d forced herself to put up a strong front—Levi was hurting too and he needed her.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured, leaning down to press his lips to her forehead once more, kissing across to her temple. “I’m here now. Let me help you.”
Katy was too weak to argue with him, to question why he was being almost intimate with her when he’d been with Miranda. She started shaking violently. “Shit, you need something to get rid of this fever.”
He laid her down gently, moving ever so slowly until she was stretched out again. Katy let her eyes drift closed as Con stepped away. She heard rummaging around, water running and then two tablets were dropped into her palm. The crack of the lid from a bottle sounded, and Katy forced her eyes open. Struggling to swallow the pills down, she winced, a pained groan escaping her lips.
“Give it a few minutes. They’ll kick in soon.” He placed a cool, wet cloth on her forehead, and it was like heaven. The headache sending stabbing pain through her temples immediately lessened. A shudder tore through her and Con set to work on her clothes, unbuttoning her chef’s jacket and pulling her white pants down her legs. “Sit up, Katy. I need to get this uniform off you. You need to cool down.”
She wanted to cry. She already was. Swiping angrily at the tears tracking down her cheeks, Katy struggled to sit upright. But Con wrapped strong arms around her and pulled her into his embrace. Burying her face in the crook of his neck, Katy cried. Yes, she was sick and hurting, but that wasn’t the worst part. He’d left her, left them, and she missed him. He didn’t know it, but he’d broken her heart, and she wanted her friend back. Lee hadn’t said anything, but she knew he wanted Con with them too. He belonged with them, dammit. They could make him happy.
“Have you eaten anything?”
“No,” she mumbled into his chest, not wanting to let him go. He was warm and solid, and there. God, she’d missed him.
“I’ll make you something. Lee’s mum used to make the best chicken soup. You think you’re up for that?” Katy hummed her agreement before yawning, and Con replied, “Lie down and rest. I’ll get started.”
He held her hair back as she rested her head on the armrest. Dressed only in a tee and her underwear, Katy curled into a ball, wrapping her arms around her chest to keep warm. She was cold, but the thin cotton blanket Con laid over her moments later helped. The medicine she’d taken must have started to take the edge off her fever. Katy sighed as the cool material hit her skin, warming her up, and she snuggled into the couch. The sounds of Con working in the kitchen faded as sleep began to take over. Eyelids heavy, exhaustion coaxed her into relaxation, pulling her towards slumber.
Katy startled, every muscle in her body tensing as a loud bang tore through the quiet of the room. The breeze flowing through the open doors at either end of the house was warm on her face, the only part of her uncovered.
“Sugar, baby, are you okay?”
Katy didn’t have the chance to respond to Levi’s question as Con shushed him as he raced down the hall. “Mate! She’s asleep.”
She managed to croak out a response, sounding more like a hoarse whisper than the volume she’d intended. “I’m awake.”
“Why didn’t you call me?” Levi knelt before her and ran his fingers gently through her hair. Katy turned into his touch, nuzzling against his hand. Featherlight kisses rained down on her temple as he caressed her.
“You were filming. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“Next time, interrupt. You’re more important than filming. If you needed me, I would have been here.” Levi rested his forehead against hers and whispered, “I can’t lose you, too.”
“You won’t. Ever.” Katy closed her hands around Levi’s shirt and held him close. She didn’t realize how much she’d needed the reassurance that they were solid until Levi had voiced his own worries. He had nothing to fear—she loved Levi. Needed him like the earth needed the sun to sustain life.
“Rest, sugar. I’ve got you.” The couch shifted, and the heat from Levi’s solid body moved away. Katy didn’t want him to leave, but she knew he needed to speak with Con. She hated intruding on their conversation, but her head still pounded every time she moved. They’d be picking her arse off the floor if she tried to give them some space.
“So?” Levi asked, almost petulantly. Katy opened her eyes again, craning her neck to see into the kitchen. Levi was crowding him into the corner. He may have been a few inches shorter than Con, but their height difference didn’t matter then. Levi was using his bulk. “What’s goin’ on?”
“I, um….” Con looked away, his shoulders dropping.
“What? You’re moving in with her?”
“Yeah, um, something like that,” Con muttered, still not meeting Levi’s eyes. Levi was defensive, hurt. Chest to chest with his best friend, his fists clenched, his body language screamed aggression, but Katy knew him better. He was all bluster, and once the wind went out of his sails, he’d be broken inside unless Con treaded carefully. “I’m here to pick up some stuff.”
Levi grasped Con’s shirt in his fists and shook him. “What?” The shock and incredulity were obvious in his tone. “Last week you didn’t even want to get serious with her, and now you’re movin’ in together?”
Con pushed Levi’s hands away. They fell easily when he sidestepped Levi’s grip. “It isn’t really your problem though, is it?”
“No, of course not.” Levi leaned against the kitchen cupboards looking defeated. He wore his heart on his sleeve and Con was breaking it all over again. “But mates look out for each other, don’t they?”
