They were going for their second round of chili when Erin arrived home, still in her scrubs, looking worse for wear. Cassie served her a bowl and got her a glass of water without being asked. Erin smiled blearily at her. Parker made an effort to be nice; she did a pretty in-depth recount of the parade that made Erin laugh.
Cassie pressed her ankle against Erin’s under the table. She wasn’t trying to be flirty. She just—she still wasn’t sure what ground they stood on. Erin pushed her ankle back against Cassie’s. Maybe she was forgiven for telling Acacia.
The next morning, Cassie woke up with a sore throat. More than sore, it was scratchy and raw, and her nose was running. Now she completely understood why Parker was so whiny when she was sick. Not that she was going to be as whiny as Parker, obviously, because she was a good and decent person.
She brushed her teeth and trudged downstairs. Erin had a cup of coffee ready for her.
“Thanks,” she croaked, and wished she could kiss her good morning like usual.
“Oh, sweetheart,” Erin said immediately, setting down her mug. “Are you sick?”
“M’fine.”
Erin held her hands to Cassie’s face, one on her cheek and the other over her forehead. “You’re hot.”
“You, too.” Cassie tried for a joke, but she winced at the way her throat cracked.
“Can I make up the couch for you?” Erin asked.
Cassie wanted to say no. She could take care of herself. She just needed to sleep it off, maybe take some ibuprofen. But Erin hadn’t taken her hand off her forehead, and Cassie leaned into it without meaning to. Maybe Erin taking care of her wouldn’t be so bad.
“Okay.”
The whole couch bed thing seemed a lot less absurd when she was the one getting tucked into it. The sheets were cool and soft against her warm skin. Erin brought her orange juice and Kleenex and ibuprofen.
“You want breakfast?”
Cassie shook her head. “Sleep first.”
Erin smiled down at her, and then she was out.
She woke up shivering, even under a blanket that hadn’t been on her when she fell asleep. She could hear Parker and Erin in the kitchen. If she were a different person, she’d call out to them, cold and hungry and needy. Instead, she drank the room-temperature orange juice that was still next to her. It hurt to swallow.
What felt like hours later, but was probably only fifteen minutes, Erin came to check on her.
“Oh, you’re awake. How are you feeling?” Erin put the back of her hand against Cassie’s forehead. “You’re still hot.”
Cassie shook her head. “I’m freezing.”
Erin got her another blanket. Parker came in as Erin was tucking it under Cassie’s feet.
“Feel better,” Parker said. “I’m getting out of here, away from your sickness.”
“You’re the one who gave it to me.” Cassie’s voice was more a rasp than anything.
“Well, I’m not reinfecting myself.”
“Don’t worry, Cassie,” Erin said. “I’ll be here if you need anything.”
“Your mom’s a lot nicer than you, you know that?” Cassie asked Parker.
“That’s why she’s the doctor,” Parker said. “Also why she’ll end up sick in like three days.”
Parker left—Cassie didn’t ask where she was going because talking hurt almost as bad as swallowing. Erin made her oatmeal and brought her more orange juice.
“You want me to find you something to watch?” Erin gestured to the TV.
Cassie shook her head.
“You want anything else to eat?”
She shook her head again.
Erin smiled at her. It could’ve been out of pity, but Erin was pretty when she smiled, and Cassie was too sick to get upset about anything.
“Can I do anything to make you feel better?” Erin asked.
“You should have a pet—a dog or a big cat or something.”
Erin’s smile went soft. “Why?”
“Because pets can cuddle you when you’re sick without getting sick themselves.”
She was aware she sounded pathetic, but her throat hurt and she wanted to snuggle and feel taken care of.
“How’s this,” Erin said, “I’ll sit at the foot of the couch? You can put your feet in my lap while I read over some stuff for work?”
Cassie tried not to seem too desperate when she nodded.
She fell asleep with Erin rubbing absently at the arch of her right foot.
Cassie didn’t wake up until almost dinnertime. She was sweating balls and flung all the blankets off.