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Sophie

ThesightofDrew in that fitted black t-shirt and butt-hugging grey sweatpants should be enough to give me miraculous healing, but sadly it did not. Although my vivid memory of it is definitely taking my mind off of puking. But even with those blessed grey sweatpants etched into my brain, I still have to run to the bathroom every ten minutes.

Over the last three hours, Drew has come downstairs to check on me four times. If I wasn’t convinced this man is husband material before, I am now.

Like, how has he stayed single for thirty-six years?! It’s mind-boggling.

It’s incredibly sweet of Drew to watch Sam for me, but he’s also taking care of his own sick daughter. My stomach churns, but this time with guilt and not sickness. I’ve never allowed anyone to help with Sam except my family. But when I got home from school, I texted all of my brothers. Madden is in D.C., Brooks is entertaining clients from out of town, and David never responded. He’s one of those super responsible people who turns his phone off when he’s working.

Of course I would get sick when my parents are out of town on their anniversary trip. What are the chances?

Despite my sore abdominal muscles from getting sick so many times, and my limp and weary limbs, I’m feeling slightly better. Drew is already exposed to the germs, so I might as well head upstairs and check on Samantha.

Throwing on a sweatshirt and securing my hair into a messy bun, I trudge up the basement stairs. It’s dinnertime, so I pad toward the kitchen. But on my way into the kitchen, I spy the back of Drew’s head in the living room. He’s sitting on the large sectional, his back to me. A princess movie is playing on the TV and he’s eating something.

I tiptoe over to the sofa to get a better view. Sam is snuggled into his side on the couch and Penny is sprawled out on the other end of the sectional, wrapped in blankets, with a bucket by her side. Samantha and Drew are eating grilled cheese sandwiches and they’re all watching the movie together.

Each interaction I witness between Drew and the girls chips away at the ice that has frozen my heart since losing my husband. I imagined my heart would stay in that hardened state forever, never to thaw again. But right here, seeing him look at my daughter with adoration while simultaneously caring for his own sick daughter? My heart is melting fast.

I clear my throat before walking into the living room, not wanting to scare them with my sudden appearance.

“Sophie,” Drew says with a smile. “How are you feeling?”

“Hi, Mommy!” Sam grins and takes another bite of her grilled cheese.

“Hey, sweetheart.” I take a seat next to her. “I’m feeling a little better, still woozy, but I think I got the throwing up part out of my system.”

“Good. You look a little better.” He glances at me over Sam’s head. “Penny has kept some saltine crackers down, so hopefully no one else gets sick.”

“Thanks again for helping. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.” I hold his gaze for a few seconds, feeling the electric charge between us.

“I like being here for you, Soph.” He opens his mouth to speak again, but he wrinkles his nose and his hand shoots to his stomach.

“Are you okay?”

Before he can answer, he jumps off the sofa and runs down the hallway to his bedroom. He slams the door, but we can all hear the sounds of sickness. Penny and I look at each other, both frowning at the sound.

After an hour, Drew still hasn’t made it back to the living room. I hoist myself off the sofa and head to the kitchen and fill a water bottle with ice water. Just as I'm about to walk down the hallway to his room, Drew emerges from the dark hallway, looking miserable.

“Hey, I was just coming to check on you.” I walk to him and hand him the water bottle.

He takes a swig of the cool water. “Thank you. I feel like trash.”

One side of my mouth pulls up in a smile. I can’t help it. He’s the most adorable sick man I’ve ever seen. This big, brawny man, taken down by a stomach bug. His dark hair is messy, sticking up all over his head, and his eyes look tired and dark, his black t-shirt is rumpled.

“You wanna watch TV with us? I bet the girls will even let you pick the movie.”

He smirks. “My arms could fall off and those two still wouldn't let me pick the movie.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

Penny is asleep on one side of the sectional, and Sam is sitting on the other end. A jolt of nervousness runs through my body, Drew and I never sit next to each other on the couch, and especially not this close. Not wanting to make things awkward, I take a seat near Sam, trying to leave plenty of space for Drew. He sits down next to me, our arms brushing together, but he doesn’t distance himself.

There’s a soft blanket draped over the couch, so I grab it and hand it to Drew, since he’s not feeling well. He smiles and takes the blanket, then proceeds to cover us both with it.

I roll my lips together, trying to hide my smile. He’s sick, he’s unwell. I’m sure in any other circumstance he wouldn't be behaving this way. He probably doesn’t mean anything by it.

Biting my bottom lip, I risk a glance at him. He’s looking at me, his eyes burning into mine. Our eyes hold, neither of us talking.