I call out to her but get no response, and I try not to get more upset, but she’s being so difficult. This is why I don’t make the effort to help people. Now I'm the bad guy for caring.
“Goddamn headache this woman is.” I don’t know how serious her obvious issue with eating is, but she’s brushing it off like it’s nothing, so for her sake, I’m going to assume it’s not that bad and she only sometimes eats what’s on that meal plan because there's no way she’s following it to the T, she’d be hungry after every meal, and for my sanity, I’m choosing to believe she isn’t completely starving.
When I make it out into the lobby, my eyes scan the room, but she’s not in sight.
“Sage, love?”
I quickly turn but don’t see her.
“I’m downstairs. What room are you in?”
My eyes land on some guy in an Armani suit, and I realize this must be her date. This man looks like he has the personality of a cardboard box, and whatever cologne he’s wearing is way too strong.
“Of course, we can reschedule. I hope you feel better. What do you think you’re sick with?”
I stop in my tracks before I walk off.Sick? I can’t tell if she’s telling him that so she doesn’t have to go out with him, but a weird feeling settles in the pit of my stomach.
“I hope you feel better, love. Do you want me to go up to your room? We can order room service and…”
I don’t bother sticking around for the rest of his sentence and head for the elevator. I don’t know how she got back to her room when I walked out right after her, but I impatiently wait for the damn elevator. I press the buttons again, and when it finally opens, I feel like it takes forever to get upstairs. I rush to her room, but when I knock, she doesn’t answer.
“Sage, please open the door.” I knock again, but when I put my ear to the door, I hear her shower running.
I let out a sigh before leaning against the door and deciding to just wait, but that pit in my stomach only grows. I turn on my heel and knock harder.
“Excuse me. Did you need help with something?”
I turn to find a lady in uniform and a cleaning cart.
“Yes, I left my key inside, and my girlfriend is in the shower. Can you key me in?”
She barely even hesitates, which is concerning, but I walk in and sit at the edge of her bed.
A soft thud comes from the bathroom, and I rise to my feet. “Sage?” I head for the bathroom and knock on the door, but when she doesn’t answer, I walk in.
When I see her limp body on the ground, I almost fucking pass out. “Sage!”
She’s already stirring awake when I reach her, but I cradle her head in my lap and grab the towel beside us.
“Liam?”
“I got you; stay awake for me.” I wrap the towel around her before lifting her.
“Lee, I’m–”
“Do not fucking say you’refine, Sage. You just passed out.Again!” I lay her on the bed softly before handing her a water bottle she had on her bedside. She takes a small sip, but when she tries to set it aside, I bring it back to her lips. “Drink the rest of it.”
She doesn’t fight me and downs the rest of the bottle. My heart is still fighting to get out of my chest, and I have to sit down to catch my damn breath.
“Why do you look like you just saw a ghost?” She fuckingsmiles, and the only reason I don’t lose my shit is because that perfect smile somehow stops my damn heart. I let out a breath and only shake my head in response.
What the fuck am I doing with this woman?
I grab the plate of food they brought her earlier and place it on her lap. “Eat.”
She glances down at the plate before glancing up at me. “Can I get dressed?”
I don’t respond to her smart ass and take the plate so she can stand. She holds her towel close as she goes to get dressed, and once she does, she sits at the desk in her matching sports bra and shorts.
