“You sexy, giant sap. I had big plans for FaceTime sex, but I’m fading, and we both have a long day tomorrow. I love you.”
“I love you so much, you have no idea. Take it easy tomorrow, okay?”
“I’m fine. Don’t be a nagging husband.” She glowered at me as she set the phone down next to her and shimmied back under the covers.
“I can’t help it if I love my wife.”
She stilled as she was cuddling into the pillow, her brown eyes glossy as they stayed on mine.
“Good night, doll.” She kissed the tip of her finger and trailed it down the screen.
I blew her a kiss before I ended the call.
“Sweet dreams, darlin’.”
26
JULIE
“Do you think voodoo dolls really work? Because if so, I kept one from a trip to New Orleans as a joke, and I’ll give it a try.”
Kaitie and I cracked up at Sierra’s playful scowl on-screen. Thanks to Elyse doing the bare minimum since the beginning and then ghosting us without a word once she found a full-time job, we all had to split what she was supposed to do and had to cram to get everything done on time.
“If I weren’t afraid that kind of stuff boomerangs back to you, I’d say go for it.” I chuckled. “And I’d start with a pin right between her eyes to alleviate all that negative energy she said was hindering her creativity.”
We all burst out laughing until I lapsed into another coughing fit. We’d been putting in twelve-hour days all week long, and when I could no longer deny that my allergy drip had turned into a chest cold, I had barely enough time to go to the bathroom, much less the doctor. I hoped once everything was delivered tonight, I could sleep it all off this weekend.
Not exactly the reunion I’d wanted when Landon came home, but I’d make it up to him. I missed him like crazy, and feeling like shit while being so damn busy only made it worse.
“Are you okay, Julie?” Kaitie asked as she leaned closer to the screen. “That cough doesn’t sound good.”
“I’m fine,” I said once the hacking slowed. “Let’s get this all done today, and I’ll keep guzzling cough medicine in between.”
There was a time I’d thrived on this. A big project with a load of different facets and watching it come together at the end was always such a great feeling of accomplishment. It was great to be part of something like that again, but my body was too exhausted to appreciate the end results.
I just wanted it to be over so I could get into bed. But if I wanted more freelance work, I had to give this project my best. I couldn’t and wouldn’t make it even harder for Kaitie and Sierra by passing along my work to them too. I’d get through it and enjoy passing out after.
My doorbell rang just as we ended the call. I was thrilled that we just had to upload assets and not present each to the client like Frank had originally thought we had to do. The only reason I’d showered over the past few days was to break up the congestion enough to be able to breathe, and I had no energy to fix myself up after.
When I opened the door, I found Karen leveling me with a glare as she held a paper bag.
“You look like shit.”
“Oh good, the outside matches the inside, then.” Another cough rumbled through my chest as I stepped to the side. “Come in.”
“Here is the Greek chicken soup you asked for. Once you have some, I’m taking you to urgent care.”
“Thank you,” I said, grabbing the bag from her hand. “I can’t go now. Everything is due today, and I’ll be working until tonight. I may be able to go tomorrow.”
“You can take off for an afternoon,” Karen said, shaking her head as she passed me into the kitchen.
“It’s just a chest cold,” I tried to say after my next coughing fit made me wheeze.
“Honey, nothing is just a chest cold when you have an autoimmune disease. That was the first thing they told you, and you’re smarter than that.”
“Karen, trust me. There is nothing I want to do more than go to the doctor and pass out in bed for the next two days.” My voice trailed off as my lungs ran out of air.
“At least sit down and take a break.” She nodded to my kitchen table. “I’m not leaving until I see you get one bowl of soup into you.”
