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CHAPTER TEN

LUNA

“Anew body right about now would be great. Do you have one?”

Through my puffy, blurry eyes, I see Zach hovering over me, a soft smile on his lips. “They ran out of stock, but I can get you some Tylenol. You’re burning up, baby.”

His hand sweeps across my forehead again and…wait, did he just call me…

Jesus,I’m hallucinating now.

I shake my head. “I can’t keep anything down, and I’m out anyway.”

He sucks in a sharp breath and takes a seat next to me on the bed, the mattress dipping with his weight. Holy mother, he smells good enough to eat. I think he’s the only thing my retching stomach would never reject.

“I’ll go to the drugstore. What else do you need?”

Fighting back another wave of sickness, I groan and find some strength to answer. “Just Tylenol…thanks.”

“Okay, I’ll be back. Just stay in bed.”

Popping an eyelid open, I pin him with a look that says, “Do I look like I’m about to run a half marathon?”

“Still giving me shit even when you can barely move. That’s my girl.”

I try my best to find a victory smile, but even moving my mouth is too much at this point. So I close my eyes and roll back over, desperately searching for sleep and a reprieve from my banging head and aching muscles.

I don’t knowhow much time passes when I hear the front door and then movement downstairs in my kitchen, which sits directly below my bedroom.

It must be at least fifteen minutes later when my door creaks open, and Zach appears in my doorway holding a tray of toast and jam, another plate of scrambled eggs, and a fresh fruit salad. As he approaches, he sets it on the bed and reaches into the pocket of his hoodie, fetching out the Tylenol. He points to the glass of fresh orange and water and shrugs a shoulder, grimacing. “I can’t cook for shit as you know, and I didn’t know what you’d want, but at least take these.” He hands me two capsules and then sits at the end of my bed, waiting for me to swallow them.

I pop them into my mouth and chase them with a small gulp of water, surveying all he’s done for me. “Thank you; you didn’t have to.”

“Have you been sick again?”

I shake my head. “No, thank God.”

“You might have a chance at keeping them down then.”

I reach toward the tray and tear a small piece of toast, popping it into my mouth and chewing it slowly, praying it stays down to give me some strength. “I’m sorry to let you down with the house today.”

He can tell I can’t manage much more, so he picks up the tray and sets it on the floor, then scoots closer to me, his turquoise eyes softer than ever. Checking my fever, he nods. “I couldn’t care less about today, Luna. I was just terrified you’d never want to see me again after last night.”

The way his warm, calloused palm feels against my skin instantly soothes all the aches settling into my bones. His touch is the best medicine I could ever buy, a bespoke balm made just for me.

But I push those feelings deep down because they won’t serve me. “I would’ve been back. Like I said, we can move on like it never happened. I just got home, and the next thing I know, I’m heaving and running the worst fever I’ve ever had.”

Zach shifts uncomfortably on my bed, like something I just said doesn’t sit right with him. He looks down at my shirt and shorts and then at my matted hair. “Do you think you can manage a shower? It might make you feel better.”

I still feel like hell, but keeping the medication, water, and toast down may be helping as I rise up onto my elbows. “I can give it a try.”

I swing my legs out to the side and immediately feel light-headed, but Zach takes my hand and puts an arm around my waist, steadying me as I get to my feet.

“Were you going to ask anyone for help or try and fight through this yourself?”

I blow out a humored breath. “Do what I’ve always done, and just get on with things.”

“What about your mom?” he asks.