Chapter8
Maverick
Earlier, I'd sent a text to Belle to see how she was doing.That should have been the end of my obligation.She'd said she was fine, and I didn't need to worry about her.Instead, I worried she was overdoing it at work and not taking care of herself.
I'd gotten a glimpse into Belle yesterday, and it had been interesting.I knew more about her family, but it wasn't a complete picture.The question I couldn't seem to get out of my head was why she was wearing my hoodie.
Didn't women wear their boyfriends' clothes?But I wasn't that.I'd been nothing but a jerk to her, other than yesterday.So it didn't make any sense to me why she'd be wearing it.Unless she was so sick and delirious that she'd worn the first thing she found in her drawer.
That was the likely explanation.It didn’t mean that she liked wearing my sweatshirt.
Tonight, I went to my parents' house for a family dinner.Belle had mentioned that Aspen had stopped by to inquire about a job.I hoped that didn't mean that Aspen was going to dig for information about why I was at Belle's apartment when she was sick.I didn't want her asking questions when I didn't have any answers.
When I arrived, I went to the kitchen where everyone congregated.Mom always put out snacks for us.She'd arranged crackers, cheese, and fruit on a cutting board on the island.By the time I arrived, it was picked through.
"Taking care of any sick women today?"Aspen asked with an amused raise of her brows.
"No."I grabbed a stack of crackers and shoved them in my mouth.
Mom frowned."What's Aspen talking about?"
"Belle didn't open the store on time yesterday.One of her customers asked me what was going on, so I checked on her.She had a stomach virus and was up all night puking, so I called Aspen to open the store for her."
"Well, that was nice of you," Mom said.
Aspen smirked."He stayed to help Belle.He even went grocery shopping and cooked her dinner."
"Soup.I cooked her soup because she was sick."
Mom smiled."You cooked her my soup?"
"Yes," I grumbled, not happy that Aspen was announcing this in front of everyone.The rest of the conversation had died down, and everyone was watching us.
Aspen smiled."He stayed all day to make sure she was okay."
Is that what Belle had told her?"She didn't have anyone taking care of her.I didn't want to leave her alone."
Mom patted my hand."That was very sweet of you."
I grimaced."I did the right thing.It wasn't sweet."
Mom laughed."Of course it was."
Morgan punched me in the arm."Are you sweet on Belle?"
"She's annoying, and I can't wait for this job to be over."So far, I'd seen her in her pajamas twice and listened while she showered.It had taken every ounce of willpower not to sneak a peek into the bathroom.The fact that she was sick kept my baser instincts in check.
"I don't know.Taking care of a woman when she's sick leads to other things, like relationships and engagements," Lincoln said, throwing his arm around Penny.
"You're a doctor.You were making a house call.This wasn't anything like what happened between you two."I wasn't even looking for a relationship.
"Let me guess.Did you go into her apartment and find her on the floor?"Lincoln asked.
"Yes."Suddenly my mouth was very dry.
"Maybe you helped her into bed?"Lincoln continued.
"I did what anyone would do."
