26. Kate
Kate was sick.
She couldn’t seem to stop throwing up today, which completely ruined the mood. She’d woken up wrapped around Elias, and he’d felt so good, she’d almost tossed all her restraint out the window. The way her body seemed to mould perfectly with his, and the smoothness of his chest… she had been so close to telling him to forget the friends arrangement.
But then the dreaded nausea returned.
And it didn’t abate.
She wasn’t sure if she should be thanking it for averting what would probably have been a huge mistake, but she knew she would rather be anywhere right now than hovering over a toilet.
By the afternoon, she wasn’t feeling any better.
Elias had been a saint, topping up her water and ginger ale as soon as they were low. He even ran a cool bath for her and left the room so she could soak.
Following another epic puking session, she staggered out into the living room and collapsed on the sofa. The sun was just setting.
‘I’ll bet this is exactly how you imagined our getaway,’ she joked.
‘I had no expectations. But I feel bad for you.’ He rested the back of his hand on her forehead. ‘Are you still hot?’
‘I’m okay.’
‘I have some more crackers if you want them? Or I could order something from room service? I read cold foods might help. Ice cream? Jelly? Custard?’
‘You’re too sweet for your own good, you know that?’
‘Well, I did indirectly contribute to you feeling this way. I feel bad.’
‘Don’t feel bad.’
‘I had our return flight booked for tomorrow afternoon, but I can switch it to the morning if you like?’
‘Actually, that might be a good idea. That way, you can go home and get some rest without worrying about me.’
‘Um, I’m still going to worry about you, even when we’re living in separate houses. In fact, I might worry more.’
‘You’re already doing way too much.’
‘I’m not. Either way?—’
She held up a hand. ‘Hold that thought.’ She ran back to the toilet.
Ugh.
* * *
By 7am the next morning,Kate was exhausted. She’d taken to sitting in the living room rather than return to bed since it felt like she was up and down every five minutes.
She was glad Elias had managed to change the flights, although she wasn’t looking forward to being in an enclosed space for the next couple of hours.
She managed to refrain from puking in the helicopter, but she had to make use of the airsickness bags and the plane bathrooms several times on the flight back to Brisbane. She wanted to assure her fellow passengers that she didn’t have gastro or some other contagious virus, but she also didn’t want to reveal her pregnancy either.
How was she going to manage working this coming week? She prayed that the colleague whose husband had lost his job needed money badly.
The drive from the airport was the worst. She was constantly worrying about throwing up in Elias’ car, but she must have finally run out of food to regurgitate, and they reached her house without her needing to fork out for a cleaning fee.
Elias walked her to the front door, carrying her bag over his shoulder.
She staggered inside and started walking toward the kitchen, but she suddenly felt dizzy. She paused, swaying slightly.
Elias was instantly beside her, grabbing her by the shoulders. ‘Are you okay?’
‘I’m just a little lightheaded. I probably need some fluids and a lie-down.’
‘I’ll get you something to drink.’
‘There’s hydrating tablets in the kitchen,’ she instructed, pointing to one of the cupboards and flopping down on her couch. She was glad to be back in familiar surroundings. She had loved the villa at Hamilton Island, but she hadn’t been able to appreciate it properly. And no matter how luxurious the accommodation, nothing compared to home when you weren’t feeling well.
Elias carried over a glass of fizzy liquid. ‘We’ll have to go back to the resort another time so you can enjoy it properly.’
‘Maybe.’
Despite her illness, there had been a couple of specific moments Kate had thoroughly enjoyed—but she couldn’t think about them again. She was glad Elias was now going back to his house so she wouldn’t be tempted to wrap herself around him again.
Almost before she’d even finished the thought, he piped up.
‘So, I was thinking… maybe you need someone to come and stay with you for a while—just until the worst of the morning sickness is over. And I thought that someone could be me.’
‘You can’t do that.’
And not just because it would be too hard not to touch you.
‘I can. What are you worried about? It’s not like I have a fixed working schedule. My place isn’t far from here, so I can go back to the workshop whenever I need to.’
‘I… I just don’t want to be an imposition.’
‘The mother of my child is not an imposition, and she never will be. Please don’t say anything like that again.’
I’m worried I’ll fall for you. And maybe I already have a little.
‘You suggested we do a couple of catchups each week to start. I’m fine with that for now.’
Elias frowned. ‘I suggested that before I saw how sick you were.’
‘It’s just a pregnancy symptom. I’m a doctor! I know how these things work and what to expect. And I know when to seek help.’
‘I don’t think you do know when to seek help.’
‘I do! And my sister is only a few minutes away too. I can always contact her if there’s an emergency.’
‘You’d rather inconvenience your poor sister, who already looks after four other children instead of me, a guy with a flexible schedule?’
‘Don’t say it like that. Plus, I have my parents.’
‘Where do they live? Are they retired?’
Kate didn’t want to answer. Her parents lived on the other side of town, and they both still worked full-time.
‘I’ll take your silence to confirm they’re not as conveniently located as me, and they have some sort of work commitment.’
‘And what happens when the novelty wears off? When you realise you’d rather be out partying and going to luxury islands with women who aren’t always throwing up or getting fat?’
She knew she sounded a little ridiculous, but she wanted to put it all out there now. She wanted Elias to consider reality.
He chuckled. ‘I haven’t partied for a while now, and the only woman I want to go to a luxury island with is you—no matter how pukey you get. As for fat? We don’t use that word. Pregnancy isn’t fat. And before you say it, yes, just as friends.’
Kate’s heart fluttered. She was doing everything she could to push him away, but he was saying all the right things. Damn it.
Another wave of nausea reared its head.
She jumped up and ran for the bathroom.
As she closed the door, she heard Elias talking from the other side.
‘I’ll take that as a yes to me temporarily moving in?’
Kate threw up and then took a few shaky breaths.
‘Okay,’ she croaked.