Page 136 of Pretend You Love Me

Juno starts humming something, and Eli just furrows his brow. “Is that from the Nutcracker?”

“No. It’sShake it Off.”

Eli takes a sip of his drink and steps off the chair.

“We have a winner. Congratulations, Juno!”

Juno jumps off the chair dramatically and then runs through the room high-fiving everyone.

After Juno finishes celebrating her win, I stand up and hold out my hand for Brooklyn. Unlike this morning, she takes it, and I help her to her feet. As soon as she’s standing, she closes her eyes for a moment and wobbles slightly. I grab both of her arms to steady her.

“I’m okay.” Her eyes are still closed. She’s not, clearly. “Just stood up too fast again.”

“Brooklyn...”

She inhales deeply through her nose and then slowly opens her eyes. She focuses on me immediately. “I’m fine. Thank you for your help.”

She takes another deep breath. My hands are still gripped around her arms. “I should go to bed.”

“Do you need help?”

Confusion flashes across her face.

“Getting up the stairs,” I explain.

“Oh...um...no. I’m fine now - really.”

I release my grip and watch her walk away.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Kip

I can’t sleep. My mind just keeps running through everything that’s happened. I’m worried about her, really worried. I can’t believe she fainted today and nearly fainted a second time. She didn’t eat dinner yesterday. She hardly ate anything tonight.

I get out of bed, throw on a shirt, and head upstairs. I don’t know what I’m planning to do, but the basement feels suffocating. I stop short as soon as I walk into the kitchen.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t know...”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” To say she’s not happy to see me is a wild understatement.

I should just turn around and go downstairs. I told her I'd keep my distance, but instead I say, “Are you okay?”

She just stares down at her hands.

“Are you feeling sick? Should I get the doctor again?”

She shakes her head. “I’m fine.”

I study her for a moment and then say, “Will told me you’ve been having nightmares.”

Her eyes flash up. “Will needs to mind his own business.”

“I’m worried about you. You’ve lost weight. You look tired. You fainted for god’s sake.”

Anger flickers in her eyes for a moment. “It’s really none of your concern.”

She grabs the container of cookies from the counter and sits down at the table with them. “Happy? I’m eating.”