"Mmm," I mumble, trying to nod. I have to stop, though, because the movement makes me feel nauseous. "Hear you good."
Her hands fall on my cheeks, and I feel her turn my head to face her—I think. "Can you open your eyes and look at me?"
Oh, right, I have to make them open.It takes a minute of concentration, but I make it work. Suddenly, the space we're in comes into focus, and I notice a few things at once.
Denali is here, kneeling in front of me, in a pair of shorts and a tee shirt that it's too cold outside for. She's holding my face, staring at me, and there's worry in her eyes.
"Hey there, gorgeous," I slur out, still groggy, still confused, but not about her. I've noticed lately, the little things. Yeah. Like the way her wardrobe has upgraded a little each week. She's wearing flirtier tops now, they make her chest look so nice. And she's wearing makeup lately, when she shows up for work, when we pick her up. She's pretty. I should tell her that—no I shouldn't. I'm herboss.I should keep my damn mouth shut. "What are you doing here?"
I'm not so sure that actually sounded like what I meant it to. I can't take it back.
"Kai, you called me. Are you okay? What happened? How did you get here?"
She's rapid-firing shit, and I can't even think fast enough to answer one question before the next one leaves her mouth. I lift one hand and put a finger to her lips. "Shhhh. Slow down. I can't think that fast."
She turns away from me, clearly deciding I'm not worth the trouble. "Where was his security detail? He's not supposed to be left alone, especially in public."
"Anton was in the alley beside the building, like he was told to be. Mr. Kai dismissed him but he didn't go far."
I remember that. I told Anton toget lost,if I remember correctly. I was trying to?—
I was trying to get laid. And the girl from the interview was—was with me. Was she who I was trying to fuck?
Did she slip me something?
"Okay, here's what's going to happen," Denali says suddenly, her voice crystal clear and steady. "We're going to take him home. And then, Arista's sending a medical team over to check him out, take some blood, find out what they gave him. I'll stay with him tonight, make sure he's okay. You go back to my house and lock my apartment up, please. Then come back."
I feel my face screw up into a frown. "What about your cat?"
"Taco will be fine for the night. Little bastard will probably sleep on my bed like it's his and not even notice I'm gone." She watches me like I'm not real. "How did you know I have a cat?"
In my state of mind, lying isn't an option. But I can't remember quite how I know, just that I do. "Don't remember. Maybe you mentioned him—it—the cat." The hiccup that leaves me tastes disgusting, and I groan in misery. "I need a nap."
I don't know if that's what I need, but a little sleep never hurt anyone. And if I'm as drunk as I feel—which doesn't make sense, but has to be the truth of the matter, because what kind of man gets roofied in this day and age?—then sleep will definitely help as the alcohol wears off.
"Come on, Kai, let's take you home." She wraps one of her arms around my shoulders, trying to help me to my feet. It's a slow process, but she gets me off the ground. Miraculously.
"Take me home?" I lift my arms for her, reaching out like she's going to solve this problem, just like she solves all my other problems. "That's awful forward for my assistant. Shouldn't you take me on a date first,kera?"
"Alright, pal, that's enough sass out of you." In what feels like ten minutes and ten seconds all at the same time, she's maneuvered me into the car, and I'm a little worried that I'm going to be sick. Wen she holds my hand, though, as the car takes off, I manage to swallow down that feeling and keep my dignity intact all the way to my house.
It doesn't last, though. The second I'm out of the car, I stumble onto my knees and vomit up whatever was rolling around in my stomach.
It feels like hell. It burns my nose, my throat, and the groans leaving me are inhuman. But the whole time, there's Denali, who crouches beside me, tucking my curtain bangs behind my ear, wiping my brow with a handkerchief, her other hand drawing reassuring, comforting circles on my back with her flat palm. It's a relief to have someone nearby during what feels like the worst moment of my life but is hardy in the top tens, even if it is embarrassing.
She won't tell anyone about this. She's not going to run to the papers and use it as blackmail against me. She won't rat me out to my agent or my manager, or yell at me for dodging security.
Okay, so she might do the last part, but still.
"Hey, you gonna be okay? I wanna get you inside, before you freeze to death. You're soaked to the bone?—"
She's right. I didn't notice until now, but I'm drenched. "Did we go swimming?" I'm so confused I'm lucky I know what way is up, but now that I've puked up some of what was in my system, the haze in my head is clearing, just a fraction.
But it's enough to start piecing together what's going on.
"Maybe in sweat," she says blankly, frowning at my state of being. "Let's go inside and get you cleaned up, and then see about some water and bed. The medical team should be here soon."
I don't know who the medical team is coming for. I'm fine. I don't think I say that out loud, but I must be wrong, because Denali lets out a little chuckle and an eye roll, even though she's been totally serious up to now.
