I turn, and my heart sinks. Mia’s face is pale, her eyes glassy, cheeks flushed a deep, angry red.
“Oh, sweetheart…” I kneel before her and press the back of my hand to her forehead. She’s burning up, exactly what I was afraid of.“Pumpkin, I think you have a fever. What hurts?”
She lifts a shaky hand and points to her forehead.“Here… and here.” Her finger moves to her throat.
“Okay. Let’s go downstairs and get the thermometer.” I scoop her up, her little arms hanging limp around my neck.
Lily looks up as we reach the bottom step. Her face softens.“What’s up, sugar?”
“I think she has a fever. Do you have a thermometer I can use?”
“Oh, poor baby.” She heads for a cabinet and returns with the thermometer.“Here you go. How about you two get comfyon the couch? I’ll make some hot milk with honey, it’ll calm the throat ache.”
“Thank you.” I settle onto the couch with Mia nestled against me and put on her favorite princess movie, hoping it distracts her while we wait.
The thermometer finally beeps. 101. My stomach drops.
“Fever?” Lily asks, bringing over two steaming mugs.
“Yeah,” I sigh.“I’ll call the doctor tomorrow.”
I give Mia children’s Tylenol, thank God Lily has some, then pull the blanket over both of us. Mia rests her head in my lap, already looking exhausted.
I grab my phone and text Ethan, letting him know we’ll have to postpone tonight. He’s understanding, but I still feel the twist of disappointment settle in my chest.
Twenty minutes later, the front door opens, and Ethan walks in with Cas and Penny.
I suddenly notice every little thing about myself, hair in a messy bun, Ethan’s oversized hoodie hanging off my shoulder, leggings, and fluffy elephant slippers. Perfect first-date material.
“Hello, gorgeous,” he says, lifting three pizza boxes with his good arm like an offering. That grin, bright, boyish, and impossible to resist, fills the room with warmth.
Behind him, Penny silently cheers with exaggerated thumbs-ups. I shoot her a glare. Cas follows with another three boxes.
“Hi,” I whisper as Ethan walks toward us, Cas and Penny heading for the kitchen.
He sets the pizzas on the coffee table, but the second he turns to Mia, his smile softens, almost faltering.
“Hey there, princess,” he murmurs, crouching in front of her and brushing a gentle hand over her forehead.
“Efan,” Mia whispers, voice tiny and hoarse.
“I’m sorry you’re not feeling good,” he says softly, and her failed attempt at a smile breaks me.
He glances up at me, worry tightening his jaw.
“She says her throat hurts and she has a fever,” I explain.“I’m calling the doctor first thing in the morning.”
He nods, then sits beside me, close enough that our legs brush, his slinged arm against mine. His forest-green eyes lock on mine.
“Hi,” he says, low and warm.
“Hi.” I can’t help the curve of my lips.
He takes my hand in his right and presses a kiss to my knuckles, slow, soft, deliberate. Heat spreads through me, leaving me breathless.
“I missed you,” he whispers near my ear, goosebumps racing down my neck.
“I missed you too.”
