‘I’ll wait with you.’ He sits down on the floor, leaning against the bathroom vanity. He’s not wearing a shirt, just his jeans, and damn he looks hot. I forgot how great his body is. Okay, that’s a lie. I’ve thought about his body many times since that night. How it looked in that suit he was wearing. How it felt when I ran my hands down his chest, then lower.
‘Mia?’ Jason leans toward me and I quickly look up at his face.
‘You can go. I just need another minute.’
‘You sure you don’t want some water? Or maybe some crackers? Maybe you have the flu.’
I shake my head. ‘It’s not the flu. I feel fine except for my stomach. I’m sure it was something I ate. What time is it?’
‘Just after midnight. You want help getting up?’
‘No,’ I say, feeling the nausea return. ‘You need to go. Now!’
‘I’m not—’ He’s interrupted by me shoving him out of the way as my other hand yanks up the toilet lid. I get sick again,with Jason right beside me. I feel him gently pulling my hair back, holding it out of the way.
‘Mia, I’m so sorry. I haven’t heard of anyone getting sick from that restaurant. If I had, I never wouldn’t taken you there.’
I flush the toilet and sit back against the wall. ‘It’s not your fault. And I liked the restaurant. The dinner was great.’
‘It wasn’t great. It made you sick. I’m going to tell the manager about this. A nice place like that shouldn’t be getting people sick.’
‘No, don’t tell the manager. I’m sure it wasn’t dinner. It was probably the lunch I had yesterday. I had a salad and I think the lettuce was bad.’
‘What can I do?’ he asks, kneeling beside me. ‘Anything?’
‘Can you help me up? I think I’m done now.’
‘Sure.’ He puts his arm behind me and gently pulls me up from the floor.
‘You can go,’ I tell him. ‘I just need to brush my teeth.’
He leaves and I splash cold water on my face, then brush my teeth. When I leave the bathroom, Jason’s waiting for me in the hall.
‘I thought you might need some help getting back.’
‘Thanks.’ I take his arm and we go into his room and he helps me into bed.
‘You think you can sleep?’ he asks.
‘Probably. If I don’t get sick again.’
‘You want some company?’ he asks, then quickly says, ‘I mean, as a friend. I could just wait here to make sure you’re okay.’
I smile at him. ‘I’d like that.’ I sit up and scoot over on the bed to give him room.
He sits next to me, on top of the covers. ‘I’m really sorry. I know you said it wasn’t my fault, but I feel like I’m the reason you got sick.’
He IS the reason, but it’s not because of the restaurant. It’s because of what happened the night of the wedding. Maybe I should tell him. It’s quiet. We’re alone.
I almost do it, but then decide it’s not the right time. I’ll tell him later, before I leave.
‘You sure I can’t get you anything?’ he asks.
‘I’m good.’ I laugh a little. ‘I can’t believe you saw that. I’m so embarrassed.’
‘Don’t be. I’m a teacher. I’m used to being around puke.’
I turn to him. ‘Kids are puking in high school? I thought that was more of a little kid thing. I never had kids in my class puke.’
