Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
KAIA
Our trip to the farmers market the other day had been weighing on my mind.
Daisy seemed like it didn’t bother her, but after we got home, she went straight to her room and didn’t come out for the rest of the night.
It really got under my skin when people, especially those in customer service, acted like it was our fault they were stuck in a job they hated. Like we were inconveniencing them.
I had woken up a few minutes before my alarm, so I was just lying there, checking my emails.
I had one from Drea about the construction of my office.
She was updating me on the timeline. They were going to finish earlier than they’d previously said, which was nice.
As much as I loved Drea, it would be good to have my own office.
I was just about to respond to Drea’s email, when I heard a brutal cough. I got out of bed and lightly opened my door, peeking down the hall. I saw Daisy leaving the bathroom with Duke at her feet. That little dog loved his momma, and they looked adorable together.
Once she turned the corner to the living room, I followed after her. She really was sick. By the time I entered the room, the poor thing was curled up in her chair with Duke in her lap. She was snuggled with him and her blanket, and looked so pale.
“Sunny, you don’t look so good,” I said, walking over to feel her head. She was burning up.
She scowled at me. “I know. Thanks.”
“Sorry,” I signed, scrunching my nose. “What do you need? Do you have meds? Do you want some tea? I can make you some soup.” I would’ve gotten her anything she wanted, and if we didn’t have it, I’d go find it.
She shook her head and after her coughing fit, gave me a sickly smile. “No, doodle. I’m fine. You need to get ready for work. I’ll be alright with Duke.”
I frowned, forgetting I had to work, but there was no way I was leaving her like this. “Daisy, I’m not leaving you alone. Drea can handle a day without me. I’m staying home.”
She opened her mouth to protest but I held up a hand. “Don’t even think about it. Take your ass back to bed, and I’ll bring you some tea and medicine.”
I was grateful she didn’t object, and I helped her up and walked her to bed. I left the door open and came back with hot tea, medicine, and a bottle of water.
The guilt was starting to sink in from missing work. Drea had told me over and over that it was okay if I ever had to call in, but I didn’t like missing. I loved my job and the people I worked with, which not a lot of people could say. I had definitely gotten lucky in that department.
But when I really thought about it, nothing else mattered besides Daisy.
Now that my dad was gone, she was the most important person in my life, and I could not let anything happen to her.
Realistically, I knew she was okay. It was just a little bug, but the worrier part of my brain didn’t want to leave her side.
“Take this and hydrate. Get some rest, and I’ll be back to check on you later.”
“You don’t have to, Kaia. I’ve been sick before. I’ll be okay, I promise.” She gave me a look of sympathy, and I frowned, confused.
“Wait. Do you think if I leave you alone while you’re sick, I’m scared something will happen to you like with my dad?
” I hoped not. I couldn’t stomach the thought of her pitying me.
“Daisy, please don’t tell me you think that.
I don’t want your pity, okay? You are my best friend. I’m not leaving you while you’re sick.”
“You’re so stubborn.” She smiled. “If you must.”
“I must. I’m going to take Duke out while you get some rest.” She looked as if she wanted to protest again, but I tried to give her a terrifying stern look. I was afraid it might look like I was constipated. Her smile was bright and genuine, and I pouted at my failed attempt to be taken seriously.
“You’re cute when you try to be angry, you know that?” She settled into bed, and I didn’t let myself think about that comment as I left the room with Duke.
“Come on, buddy. Let’s go outside. You have business to attend to, and I have to get back to your mother.” He jumped in excitement, wagging his tail at the prospect of going outside and he didn’t fight me as I put on his leash. I gave him a few quick belly rubs, and we were out the door.
“Hello, love. What’s wrong?” Drea’s chipper greeting was odd for this time of day. She was usually a grump until her second cup of coffee well after 10 am.
“Good morning, Dre. Why do you assume something is wrong? Can’t I just call to have a chat?”
I laughed, practically feeling her scowl on the other end.
“Kaia, you don’t call me this early unless something is wrong. What is it?”
I sighed. She knew me way too well at this point. “Okay. So I know I’ve taken a lot of time off this year—”
“A lot of time? Kai, you only took a week, and that’s because I made you.”
I continued nervously. I didn’t take time off unless it was important, and Daisy was important to me. I just didn’t know if it was enough to get me out of work. Things had definitely changed in my relationship with Drea, but I hadn’t tested the waters with how much until now.
“Anyway, Daisy is sick, and I don’t want to leave her alone. Will you be okay without me today?”
I was about to start rambling, to plead my case, but she spoke before I got the chance.
“Oh, poor thing. Of course, Kai. Don’t even worry about it.
I’ve got it covered. Alexis and Farrah will be there, and I can call Fallon or Blair if things really get out of hand.
Take care of Daisy and tell her I hope she feels better.
Do you guys need me to bring you anything?
You know Blair makes the most incredible vegetable soup. ”
I smiled, grateful for both Drea and Blair. “I’ll tell her. And we’ll be okay, but thank you, Drea, seriously. I know she’s not family, and she’s not dying or anything, but—”
“Oh, stop. You know she’s family to us just as much as you are. Listen, sweetie. We’ll be fine without you, I promise. Get back to Daisy.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat at her kind words. My friends were the only family I had left, and the fact that they were so welcoming of Daisy meant a lot to me.
We said our goodbyes, and I tried to hurry Duke along. All I wanted was to be back home.
Of course, he took the longest time outside, but eventually, everything was taken care of and we headed back inside. After I removed his leash, he took off for the hallway, but stopped when he saw Daisy walking toward us. I stood up and scowled, hands on my hips.
“And what, might I ask, are you doing out of bed? You’re supposed to be resting.”
She rolled her eyes. Walking toward me, snuggled in her blanket, looking like she was trying to hide a shiver. My poor sunflower. I hated it when she was sick. “I’m not running a marathon, Kai. I was too stuffy lying down and I wanted to take a bath.”
“That sounds like a good idea, actually. Want me to draw it for you?” I hated having a stuffy nose, and I knew bending down to turn on the bath was a struggle. I wanted to do whatever I could for her. I didn’t want her to have to do anything but relax and get better.
She smiled and nodded. “Actually, I’m really glad you’re back. Do you think you could help me? I don’t think I have the strength to do it on my own.”
I froze, unable to breathe or think. Surely she wasn’t asking what I thought she was.
If I were speaking, I was pretty sure I would’ve stuttered. Just the thought of being in there with her made my whole body heat up with a mixture of anxiety and desire.
It wasn’t a good idea, but she was sick and it didn’t mean anything. Even if she wasn’t, I would’ve done anything she asked of me, whether it would bite me in the ass later or not.
“Of course. Whatever you need.” I hoped I looked confident and not at all like I was about to pass out.
She thanked me and I turned, a little too quickly, to get her bath started. She loved anything lavender scented, so I put some bubbles and bath salts in, making sure the water was to her liking. Hot enough to take a few seconds to step in, but not too hot to redden the skin too much.
I also added some eucalyptus oils to help with her breathing and turned off the lights. She had a wax warmer plugged in. It was a little sunflower, of course, that was also a nightlight. So it was dark enough to relax but still light enough to see.
I turned away so she could undress, but after a few seconds, she tapped me on the shoulder. Worry creased my brow when I turned back. There was no way she got undressed that fast.
I was right. When I looked at her, she was still wearing her cute pajamas. The light-blue shorts with stripes and matching button-up shirt. She looked like she was sweating and out of breath.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I can’t. I can’t do it. Can you help me, please?” Her pout was the cutest thing I'd ever seen.
I sucked in a breath. I’d never been that close to her before, but I couldn’t say no. I’d never say no to her. All I could do was nod as I helped her unbutton her shirt.
I tried not to stare, but I couldn’t look her in the eyes either.
I was afraid of what she’d see behind mine.
I focused on the buttons. One by one until she was shrugging it off her shoulders.
I had to hold back a groan when her tattoo came into view.
The way it circled her chest had me wanting to inspect every detail, but I couldn’t.
I had to look anywhere else.I secretly hoped her house would lose power so I couldn’t see the dream in front of me.
Once she was bare, I had to force myself to look away.
I looked in her eyes, which were staring back into mine.
I couldn’t read her expression, but she was staring so intently, like she was searching for something.
What that something was, I didn’t know. The only thing I could do was stand there, unmoving.