Jen opened her eyes and blinked at them.“I don’t feel so good,” she moaned.
“I know, girlfriend.We’re going to get you home,” she said, using the towel to wipe her friend’s face and shirt.
“Chloe, we can’t leave her alone, can she stay at your place tonight?”
“Oh, uh, yeah!”she said, letting go of the last shred of hope she had for redeeming their date.
“Will you please spread the towel out on the back seat?”
She scurried to obey.“I’m so sorry about your car.I will clean it up.Fortunately, I have a lot of experience in disinfecting puke,” she said with a failed attempt at humor.
“Whoa,” Jen moaned when he lifted her up and placed her in the car on her side, managing to buckle her in place.
“Puke happens,” he said, seemingly unconcerned.
It sure did.
Chloe leaned her head against the headrest, miserable and embarrassed.
He rolleddown the windows to clear the smell and drove back to Chloe’s house.She said very little on the ride, but he could sense her distress.
“Hey,” he said.“She’s going to be okay.Are you worried?”
She gave him a long face.“No...I’m just disappointed.”
He squeezed her knee and she managed a weak smile.
When they arrived back at Chloe’s, he carried the groaning Jen inside and arranged her on her side on the couch, with a towel spread in front of her.He sat down and took her pulse again.
Chloe brought a trash can in to set in front of her friend.“Hey.If you puke again, do it in here, okay?”
Jen opened her eyes.“Okay,” she mumbled.
She used a wet washcloth to wipe off Jen’s face and the front of her shirt.
He stood up and Chloe wrapped her arms around his waist.“I’m really, really sorry,” she said, sounding as if she was about to cry.
“What are you sorry for?”
“I’m just...really embarrassed.You must think—” she broke off and sniffed.
He pulled her face away from his chest and cupped her chin.“Think what?”
“I don’t know—this is so immature.I’m sure you wish...I…” her eyes filled with tears.
“What?”
“Well...do you think I’m too young for you?”
He led her to the overstuffed armchair and sat down, pulled her onto his lap.“Chloe, I think you have some idea about me because I’m a doctor, or older, or your boss, that I’m different from you or that I look down on you.But...I’m not that guy.I know I gave you a hard time about smoking, but I promise I won’t judge you or your friends for having a good time.”He stroked her cheek with his thumb.“Don’t be upset about this on my account.I’m fine.”
She blinked her wet lashes, looking sweet in her sorrow.
“In fact, I’m glad it happened.“I’ve been trying to get to know you,” he said, holding an imaginary magnifying glass up to her and making her giggle, “but you’ve been hiding.Tonight I got to see more of the real you.”
“Ugh.Is this the real me?I sort of hope not.”
“I saw someone who has solid friendships with nice people.Someone who cares for and is there for her friends, even when it screws up her plans for the evening.That’s the real you.”
