Page 51 of Love Deep

“Are you sure you don’t want to be alone with your wings?” I ask.

“Happy to not have any if it means I get you tonight?”

My blush starts at my feet and sweeps up my entire body.

“Let’s get you some wings. And then I can help you work all those calories off.”

He groans and traps my legs between his. “It’s a good thing there’s a table between us, or we might get arrested for public indecency.”

My nipples pinch against the lace of my bra and I squeeze my thighs together.

“Those wings better come quickly, or I might decide they’re not worth the wait.”

“We have all evening,” I reassure him.

“It won’t be long enough,” he volleys.

His words hit me in the chest because I know it’s true. However long we have won’t be enough.

Eva comes back with two beers and two orders of wings and we dig in. I’m hungry. I’ve not eaten all day. I’m always so busy preparing food for Riley and making sure she has lunch, sometimes I run out of time to make sure I’m fed. And I’m going to need my strength tonight if the look in Fisher’s eye is anything to go by.

My phone buzzes and I flip it over on the table. “Sorry, I’m just going to check this,” I say, when Mom flashes up on the screen.

Mom: Riley has a temperature.

Me: What is it?

Mom: 102.

“Shit,” I mumble under my breath.

“Everything okay?” Fisher takes a swig of his beer.

“It’s Riley. She has a temperature.” I never leave Riley if she’s sick. Ever. I know how quickly things can change when it comes to medical conditions. One minute you’re fine and then you’re not.

One minute you’re pregnant. And then you’re not.

Riley was fine when I tucked her into bed. She was chattering on about school and how she’d done on her math test. There wasn’t any sign that she was sick. Things change quickly.

“Do you need to go?” he asks. “I’m happy to drive you back.” It’s so sweet of him to offer. I know he has different plans for where we go after Grizzly’s. And so do I. I don’t know what to do. What would I do if I were at home?

“Let me just text with my mom quickly.”

“No problem. We can leave right away if that’s better.”

Me: Is she awake?

Mom: Yes. She says she has a headache.

Me: Does she have a rash?

There’s a delay before she answers. I’m guessing Mom is checking for a rash.

Mom: No rash.

I’m torn. I want to be here with Fisher and Riley is probably fine, but I wish I were with my daughter, too.

Me: Please give her Tylenol in the cupboard and then let me know what her temperature is in thirty minutes.