“What does that make you right now, then?”
“A hypocrite.” He brushed his thumb against my lower lip before he kissed me. “But you’re worth the exception.”
SEVERAL WEEKS LATER
THIRTY-SIX
ANDREA
Today marked the most important week in Sweet Seasons’ newest chapter:Meet Potential Investors Era.
It was what all the late nights and missing money mission sessions had led up to, and yet—I woke up feeling like I’d been hit by a freight train.
My eyes were swollen and heavy, and every muscle in my body ached like hell.
Still, I figured whatever it was would go away with a cup of hot tea and a couple of aspirin.
Wincing, I sat up in Harrison’s bed and grabbed my phone off the nightstand. I stared at the screen for what felt like forever, trying to force my fingers to type a text message.
Even the phone felt too heavy in my hands.
What’s wrong with me?
“I think you have the flu.” Harrison stepped into the doorway. “The doctor does, too.”
“When did I see a doctor?”
“Hours ago.” He looked at me. “You were heaving and coughing in your sleep, so I called him over.”
“I’m sure it’ll go away soon.” I set down my phone. “If you get me some TheraFlu and some medicine, I’ll be ready to handle today’s meetings with you.”
“The flu iscontagious, Andrea.”
“I’ll wear a hazmat suit,” I said. “That’s what you would do, isn’t it?”
“No.” He smiled. “But I honestly can’t remember the last time I was sick.”
“Well, what am I supposed to do?” I tried to swing my feet off the bed, but I fell backward onto the pillows.
Harrison crossed the room and pressed his hand against my forehead.
“The nurse should be here any minute to give you what you need,” he said. “You’ll stay here until you get better.”
“Don’t you need my notes?”
“I have them already.”
“But I didn’t walk you through the questions I need you to ask the shareholders.” I couldn’t stop talking. “If you carry me to your library, I can show you those.”
“No.” He ran his hands through my hair before positioning my head onto the pillow. “I’ll manage.”
“I’ve worked really hard on these meetings,” I said. “I don’t want to be left out.”
“You won’t be.” He signaled to someone I couldn’t see. “I’ll brief you every evening this week.”
“What about putting me on a Zoom call?” I coughed. “What about that?”
“The answer is still no.”
