“Okay,” Charlie claps her hands as she leans over her planner at the kitchen table. “You have a meeting with New Beginnings set up, but it conflicts with a signing at—”
“Cancel the signing,” Rosalie says.
Charlie sighs. “You’re overworking yourself…”
Thorn’s lips thin. “You know charity work comes first. The signings will always be there.”
The manager nods as she scratches out the signing. “Okay, I can get something else set up for a future date.” Her eyes flicker to us. It’s a silent push—talk to her.
Roman’s phone chimes with the telltale sign that Thorn’s sugar is low, and he gives her a scolding look from his propped position against the island. “When was the last time you ate?”
Since Thorn’s scare, we’ve all convinced her to link us to the app her monitor uses. Now, we can check her blood sugar at any time, and Roman uses it daily to keep tabs on her. When he isn’t grumbling over gossip columns or headlines that try to demonize Rosalie, he keeps the glucose monitoring app open so we can all see what’s going on with her.
He’s probably the strictest when it comes to her eatinghabits and keeping glucose-friendly foods around the house. Maddox takes a quieter approach, keeping track of her levels while she sleeps and using her monitor to prick her finger whenever she needs it.
Her head tilts as she looks at her phone. “An hour ago?”
Roman gives her a stern expression. “What did you have?”
She rolls her eyes. “I had some eggs.”
“That’s not enough,” he decides before making her a quick snack. He slides a bowl of Greek yogurt and berries in front of her, handing her a spoon as she stares down at it with a curled lip.
“Can I have something else?” She asks, batting her eyelashes innocently.
“No.” Roman turns his back on her, walking back to the kitchen as Rosalie sticks her tongue out at him. His sixth sense must kick in, because he whips around right after she tucks her tongue back into her mouth, and pretends to eat.
I have something tucked into my back pocket, but I wait for Roman to be distracted to slide the bar of dark chocolate to Thorn. I give her a wink as she smiles brightly and tucks it into her lap.
This has been our little secret. While she appreciates Roman’s doting, she also likes the occasional sweet treat. Too much could send her blood sugar skyrocketing, which is why I did my research. Dark chocolate is the better choice as long as it’s eaten in smaller amounts. Thorn deserves more than just plain yogurt and berries for a snack.
She’s been working hard, and sometimes it feels good to be seen. I’m always thinking of her, and this is my way of showing it.
She’s stealthy as she rips into the candy bar, her eyes flickering up to Roman as he moves around the kitchen. She hesitantly breaks off a piece, handing me a square before she shoves one past her lips.
Charlie watches us with amusement as she packs up herbag. “I’ll leave you to it. If I need anything, I’ll text you.”
“Okay,” Thorn says past a mouthful of chocolate.
Roman whips around to us, his eyes narrowing as we both freeze.
“Busted,” I whisper.
She shoves the candy bar back into my hands, making my mouth fall open at her betrayal as she points at me. “He made me do it!”
“You little fucking…” I shake my head as she scoots her chair out and practically bolts for her studio. She giggles, sounding carefree and happy, and for a moment, I ignore the primal urge to run after her. Hearing that twinkling sound of her joy is better than any chocolate.
“Seriously?” Roman sneers.
I shrug. “What? It’s dark chocolate.”
He points an accusing finger at me. “If her blood sugar goes up, I’m beating your ass.”
Charlie glances between us, her brows drawing. “You four seem…close. I take it Rose isn’t angry anymore.”
“I apologized and spoke with her,” Roman says.
The manager nods. “Good. I’m not going to comment on what I think is going on, but don’t hurt my best friend.”
