I grab the pad of sticky notes and the Bic pen next to it, grinning at his lack of pretension. It’s such a funny juxtaposition—fancy furnishings and dishware, but very basic and utilitarian yellow sticky notes and black crystal Bic pen. While I wasn’t expecting an ostrich feather quill pen or a fountain pen or anything, I guess I would’ve expected something fancier than this—the kind of pen you’d find in any random office setting.
What do I do with dirty dishes?I write on the top sticky note.
Standing, I drift into the kitchen, eyeing the most likely places I’d think he’d store cough drops or honey. Or tea. The water situation is obvious, at least—there’s a dispenser in the very large and very expensive looking stainless steel refrigerator door.
With a shrug, I decide to just open all the cabinets to see what’s where. If I’m going to have water or coffee or tea or, well,anything, I need to know where the necessary dishes are too, after all.
By the time I open and close everything, the brief burst of energy I gained from breakfast is wearing off, and I still haven’t found any cough drops. I did find a small bear of crystalized honey in the pantry and a few bags of Earl Grey tea. I prefer herbal tea when I’m sick, though. Cinnamon or lemon. Mint’s okay too, in a pinch.
Getting a spoon out of the drawer, I try to squeeze some honey onto it, but it won’t come out. Sighing, I open the cap and stick it in the microwave, stopping every ten seconds until it’s warmed up enough I can get some. After taking the honey, I go back to the sticky notes, peel off the top one, then write on the second:cough drops, cinnamon spice tea, honey. That’s all I can think of for now.
I refill my glass of water and take myself back to bed, exhaustion dragging at my steps the whole way.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Jason
When I get backfrom my run, Hailey’s nowhere to be seen, but I notice a couple of sticky notes on the table, one asking where to put dirty dishes and one that’s a grocery list.
Picking up the pen, I write,In the sink, as the answer to the question on the first one. Then I take a quick glance through the fridge and pantry, add a few more things to the grocery delivery app on top of the things she listed, and hit order. As soon as I hit it, I second-guess myself. Did I order the right kind of cough drops? Or the right brand of tea?
I just picked the cough drops I normally get and the first option for cinnamon spice tea. Well, if she has other preferences, I can take care of that when she comes back out.
After a quick shower, I make myself some breakfast, wondering if she’s asleep or awake … If she were awake, wouldn’t she come out here?
But she feels like she’s an inconvenience, so she might hide in her room no matter what.
After I finish my eggs and toast, I rinse my plate and put it and Hailey’s in the dishwasher, then consider if I should check on her or not. I don’t want her to feel like she has to remain in her room if she’d rather come out, but I also don’t want her to feel like she has to come out if she doesn’t want to.
Ultimately, I decide to text her. Maybe it’s silly, but then if she’s sleeping, I’m less likely to wake her up. And if she’s awake, well, she’ll see the text.
I ordered the groceries you requested. And then I was worried I got the wrong brand of cough drops and tea. Here’s what I got
I snap a screenshot and send it to her.
That’s perfect. Thank you
So you ARE awake
Yeah. I kinda wish I wasn’t, but I can’t sleep any more right now. I’m tired and feel awful, though
Awww. I’m sorry. Is there anything else I can do for you?
No, I’ll be fine. You should stay away from me, though. I don’t want to get you sick
I’m not worried
Good for you. I still don’t want to risk it. I’ll keep to my room until I’m better
I blow out a breath, thumbs hovering over the keyboard, ready to type out a protest. But if she wants to stay in bed, that might be what she needs, after all. Who am I to argue?
Let me know if you need anything else
Okay. I will.
I stare at the screen for a few more seconds, wondering if she’ll say anything else. Or if I should say something else. But what else is there to say?
Tossing my phone on the couch next to me, I pick up the TV remote.
