“Drink this and take these,” I say. “And we’ll repeat this process tomorrow morning.” I fish some blankets out of the basket I keep next to my sofa, then duck into my room quickly to grab an extra pillow. Will leans forward, and I get him situated as best I can. Damn. My couch looks downright Lilliputian with him on it. I feel kinda bad—I mean, he’s a big guy on a couch built for two butts. But then again, I’m not inviting him into my bed. I just met the guy and he puked in some bushes less than an hour ago—there’s no way we’re sharing a bed. But that does remind me to grab a towel and a trash can from the bathroom, just in case.
Will’s eyes are closed, so I figure he’s asleep. But when I turn out the light and head for my room, he calls out my name.
“Mel?”
“Yeah,” I answer, half turning around.
“Um, I’m not gonna open my eyes cause when I doeverything gets spinny, but I just wanted to say thanks, and also sorry. That was probably the worst date you’ve ever been on.”
“It wasn’t the best. Now get some sleep. Your head’s gonna feel like it weighs a thousand pounds in the morning. Oh, and there’s a trashcan right next to you on the floor. If you ruin my couch, I will ruin you.”
“Got it,” he says, shooting me a thumbs up.
It takes a few minutes for me to wash up and change, but then I crawl into bed, ready to put this day behind me.As I drift off to sleep, I can hear him moaning. That guy’s going to have a killer headache in the morning.
15
Mel
My alarm blares in my ears at an hour that should be outlawed. It’s rare that I have to get up this early, but Theo headed home for the weekend, so I’m covering his shift. Great—not only do I have to get to work at six a.m., I have to be the boss. Ugh.
I remind myself I’m doing a favor for a friend, and I think of all the times he’s covered a shift for me. Then I think about the fact that I can get coffee and a muffin at work. That’s all the incentive I need to hop out of bed and into the shower. I dress quickly, so I have time to scramble a few eggs and brew half a pot of coffee for Will. He’s gonna have a hell of a hangover today, and he’ll need a plate of greasy food to soak up the booze.
I’m banging around in what passes for my kitchen when I spot him out of the corner of my eye. He must’ve gotten overheated while he slept because he’s shirtless. And no, I’m not into him—our “date” was a disaster. Plus, I am not in the market for romance. But that doesn’t mean I can’t admire the hell out of a shirtless man when he lands on my couch.
I turn my attention back to the eggs, and call over my shoulder, “Breakfast is ready!” I hear a moan from the living room, and as I get his plate ready, I notice he’s donned a shirt. Oh, well. The view was nice while it lasted.
“Thanks,” he says, stumbling over and taking the hot mug of coffee I’m offering.
“Did you take the headache meds? And drink your water?”
“Yeah,” he tells me, his eyes half open.
“Good. Between that and breakfast, you shouldn’t be hurting too much today. Look, I’ve got to leave for work in thirty, so eat up and then get your shoes on. I’ll drop you at the hockey house before I head to Drip.”
We make random small talk as Will shovels his breakfast in and I tidy up the kitchen. But then my nosiness gets the better of me. “So, who’s Chelsie?”
Poor guy almost chokes on his coffee. “Chelsie?”
“Yeah, you kept mumbling her name last night as you drifted off to sleep. The walls are pretty thin,” I say, shrugging.
“She’s just a girl I met at a party. And one who definitely wasn’t dazzled by my charm. Can you believe that?” he asks, smiling.
“Actually, yes,” I joke back. “Here, finish these eggs,” I say, adding the last spoonful to his plate.
“Why are you being so nice to me?” he asks, taking a sip of too-hot coffee.
“Um, because I’m a decent human being?”
He nods and then winces. “Well, thanks. I appreciate it. I’m, uh, pretty new to the dating scene and I guess I made a pretty bad impression.”
I shrug. “I have had better dates. Now eat before your eggs get cold.”
He looks a little green. “There’s no way I can eat right now.”
I shove the plate toward him. “You can, though. And you definitely need to. Trust me, your stomach wants to rebel, but give it a minute. I promise this is exactly what you need.”
Will looks at me a little skeptically, but then he inhales and grins. “Damn. This smells so good.”
