Chapter 15

“Of course, I’ll stay with you. You’re not well, why would I leave?! I’ll lay right here beside you on the floor. Just say the word and I can get you anything you need.”

“This bed can hold two people. Come and lie beside me.” Even he was unaware of the longing look on his face.

Grace bit her lip and hesitated for a while before nodding. “All right.” She lifted up the quilt on the floor and lay down beside him.

She was astonished that she had agreed to sleep beside a man.

His scent enveloped her and his body radiated heat.

Not like a fever, just a warm, healthy body.

“Are you sure I can’t take you to the hospital?” She didn’t think he had insurance, but she could go on a payment plan. The cost was irrelevant, the only thing that mattered was his well-being.

“I’ll be okay,” he assured her. “Just stay with me.”

She held his hand and shifted on her side so she could hold one arm over his body in a loose hug. It was a novel feeling to comfort this man, and for her, it brought into acute awareness how long she’d denied herself any comfort or any connection to another human being.

Sure, she had her friends, and she loved them.

But this… this involved trust, and connecting to someone new. After all that she’d been through, she was glad she hadn’t lost all of her humanity.

She switched off the light and then it was just the two of them, holding each other and quietly breathing.

“Sister, will you stay with me forever?” Jay asked softly

“Of course! In the future, when you get married and have a family, I’ll still keep you company.” Bonds could be forged that were stronger than blood. Hadn’t she learned that? While her own father and half-sister had forsaken her, Jason had shown that he would be there for her. And she would be there for him.

assured by her voice

Jason had never thought of getting

do you mean what you

“Yes,” she replied.

and then allowed himself

her think that the pain in his stomach must have lessened. He looked peaceful and handsome. His strong, big body took up most of the bed, and though she’d tried to roll away from him to give him more room,

edged away now, hoping to let him

believed that he was no longer

you up,” Grace said. “It’s still early. Rest a little longer.” As Grace spoke, she hurried

to eat something. And please don’t forget to take

given the instructions, she

Jason was left alone in

in the spot where she

and feel the residual heat of her body

and asked for nothing in return. Only his friendship and

breathed her scent again and his thoughts turned to

***

and it wasn’t to his boss’s usual taste. However, Mr. Reed instructed

he didn’t question

in no time and handed it

sent a text message. Shortly, the text message alert tone resounded, and his boss, who

text message from the corner of

Mr. Reed was an

Grace be the ‘sister’ whom Mr. Reed was

quarterly financial meeting. When everybody was listening attentively to the report,

saw Jason take out a cheap, old-model mobile phone and answer the call. He put the phone up to

it. I will remember to eat,” Jason

than Terrence, by the way, their boss sounded so gentle over the

the boss talking to?” William Sharf asked

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