She laughs. “Oh, you’re good. No wonder Miss Legs for Days out there was so smitten by you.”
I start to protest, but my voice trails off when she leads me into a small women’s bathroom where Clover is sitting on the floor, propped up against the wall, head in her hands.
“I’ll be right out,” she calls miserably.
“You have to take her home,” Marianne tells me. “I told her to not even come in at all, but it will be a surprise to absolutely no one that she refused to listen.”
“I can’t afford to miss any shifts,” she whines, still not having looked up to see me here. “How is it possible to be sweatyandfreezing at the same time?”
Marianne gives me a conspiratorial look and motions for me to take over.
“Clo,” I say as I drop down into a squat in front of her. “You don’t look great, kiddo.”
She groans and lifts her head before rolling it back against thewall. “What are you doing here? I’m not a kiddo. Go back to your fancy dinner with all those really hot, smart people.”
“They weren’t all smart,” I tell her.
She nods. “You’re right. Julian was there.”
The corner of my mouth quirks up. “Come on. We’re going back to the dorm.” I’m already building the excuse I’ll have to sell my mom, especially because I’m starting to think she missed the dinner on purpose in the hopes that Lacey would take to me.
“But—”
“But you won’t have a job if you puke all over your table.”
“Joke’s on you,” she says. “I haven’t been able to keep anything down since last night. I have nothing left to puke.”
Marianne laughs. “The girl loves to have the last word.”
“I’m very aware,” I tell her.
We both help her stand, and I walk her outside and thank Marianne for her help.
“Text me,” she calls after us. “I’ll cover your tables.”
“I hate you,” Clover moans in return. “Thank you for momming me.”
Marianne smiles before heading back in.
“I’m gonna sit you down on this bench while I grab the car, okay?”
She slumps down on the engraved concrete slab and wraps her arms around her waist.
“Hot or cold?” I ask.
“Both,” she huffs.
I shuck off my jacket and lay it next to her. “In case you need it.”
The fact that she doesn’t fight me tells me she’s sicker than she’s letting on.
CHAPTER 13
Bennett
The lot I parked in isn’t far, but is too far for Clover in this state. A few minutes later and I’m pulling up to find aWeekend at Bernie’ssituation with Clover slumped over and my jacket pulled to her chin.
“Up you go,” I tell her as I wrap her arms around my neck. My Highlander is a little too tall for her, so I help her in by her waist and buckle her in.
