“Everything. But I’m going to start with the brie and apples.”
“It’s gooey. You don’t want to drop it on your pretty dress.”
“I think I can manage.”
The brie was sweet and the apples tart, a fabulous combination.
Next she served herself goat cheese and beets.
“How’s your turkey and brioche?” she asked Nick.
“Stellar. Hardy. You should eat something more substantial than cheese.”
“I never eat like this so I’m splurging.” She took two pizza squares.
They moved away so others could access the table and strolled around greeting more people. It was fun until Noreen’s stomach pitched. “Would you mind getting me seltzer while I use the bathroom?”
“Sure. It’s right on the other side of the kiddie cove.”
She threaded through the guests but hurried the last few feet. She reached the bathroom, closed the door and just made it to the toilet.
Where she vomited. When she was done, she knelt there a bit longer to be sure the attack was over. And because she was weak.
The door opened. “I’m sorry to intrude but I heard you get sick.” He crossed to her. “Are you done?”
She nodded and leaned on him to get up. She wiped her face with some tissues. He poured a glass of tap water and she rinsed out her mouth. Then he got a washcloth from the cupboard and wet it. “Here use this.”
It felt cool on her cheeks and forehead.
“Damn” she said leaning back against the counter. “You were right. I shouldn’t have had the combination of cheese and pizza.”
He studied her face. “Are you feeling better?”
“Yes. Vomiting does that though I usually have a cast-iron stomach and have rarely thrown up.”
She opened her bag and took out a brush and some lipstick. As she put the latter on—a Christmas red—he stared at her in the glass.
“So, getting sick to your stomach rarely happens to you?”
“Yes.” His gaze was odd. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Noreen, as a doctor, what might you tell a patient if this happened to her?”
“Not to mix rich food.”
“As adoctor. Who knows women’s bodies.”
“I might suggest…” Her eyes widened.
He moved closer. Took her cheeks in his hands. “We had unprotected sex that first time.”
Briefly, she closed her eyes.
“You could be pregnant.”
“I guess I could be.” She drew back some. “How would you feel about it if I was?”
“I don’t know. After what happened to Scotty, I don’t know.”
