“We can go now,” she said.
On the drive back to the city, I kept mulling over our conversation. Ever since the divorce, I’d split my time between my daughter, my family, and Maxwell Wineries. I’d blocked out everything else. It had been as much a self-defense mechanism as a survival instinct. But Lexi was fun and sexy and made me laugh without even trying. And I wasn’t going to let go of that.
I wanted Lexi.
I needed her.
We arrived at Gran’s one hour later. After parking the car, I noticed the screen of my phone lit up with a message. I intended to ignore it, thinking it might be Nora again, but Lexi’s name caught my attention.
Lexi: Hi! So I have an ear infection and I feel awful. I’m not sure I can make it tomorrow. And also... I think it might be a good idea for you to reach out to one of the others you interviewed for the job.
Chapter Ten
Lexi
The pain in my ear was unbearable as I tried to turn from one side to the other on the pillow.
Oh no, why did I even try it?
Oh, that’s right, my phone is ringing.
I blindly answered, putting it to my good ear.
“How are you feeling?” It was Tate’s voice.
“Like I was hit by a truck, and every time I try to get out of bed, the same thing happens.”
“What happened?”
“Apparently I didn’t properly get the water out of my ear when I went swimming with Paisley. I nagged her into doing it, and I forgot to do it myself. And now I have an infection. At least that was the doctor’s explanation.”
“Do you have everything you need?” he asked, voice full of concern.
I was melting already.
“Yes, I have my medicine.”
“Food?”
“I haven’t eaten since yesterday. Swallowing hurts my ears. Right now, I’m super proud that I had enough energy to answer the phone.”
“Okay. I’ll be at your place in half an hour.”
My eyes widened. “What? No. You don’t have to come here to check on me.”
“Yes, I do. You’re sick. I dropped off Paisley with Gran. I’m coming by your place.”
“Tate.”
“Lexi,” he countered.
“It’s really not necessary.”
“I’m coming over.”
Well, I couldn’t argue with him when he went all alpha like this, even when I felt perfectly healthy. Now I had no prayer of resisting him.
“Okay, thanks,” I whispered.
After hanging up, I got out of bed and headed to the shower. I’d only washed up in the sink yesterday since I’d been feeling a bit off-kilter, and I was a bit stinky. I moved at a slower pace than usual, but I was happy that I wasn’t nauseous anymore, only a bit dizzy.
I barely had time to dress before the doorbell rang. I hurried to open it.
Tate stood in the doorway with a paper bag and a smaller plastic one, looking me up and down. “You don’t look so well.”
“Thanks for making me feel better,” I said on a laugh. “But I need to sit. I only had enough energy to come open the door for you.”
Dizzy again, I went straight to the couch to sit down and pull a throw over me. I loved cuddling in blankets on the couch, even in the summer. The kitchen counter was opposite where I was sitting, and I watched Tate with fascination as he took out containers of food from the paper bag.
He’d brought me food? Wow, I couldn’t believe he was so thoughtful. That I was so important to him.
“I got you some stuff, okay? Easy things you can eat, like soup, so you can stay hydrated.”
“Thanks. That’s really nice of you. When did you even do this?”
“I stopped by a deli on the way here.”
He moved with efficiency in my kitchen, putting everything in the fridge. He looked up at me from time to time. My body buzzed every time our gazes crossed.
Once he’d emptied the bag, he came and sat next to me. The couch sank under his weight. Even though I felt shitty from my ear infection, I couldn’t help but notice his stubble and the way he smelled. It wasn’t just his cologne; he smelled like the outdoors.
“Did you go to a doctor?”
“Yes. They gave me drops and antibiotics. They can’t tell for sure when the pain will go away. Could be two days, maybe more. Apparently it depends on my body. I hate it when they say that.”
He chuckled, but his gaze was hard. “What is this about you quitting, Lexi?”
I sighed, unsure where to begin. I avoided his gaze. It was too much to handle right now. It felt as if he saw right through me.
“Well, clearly I can’t keep myself from flirting. You want to protect Paisley, and I totally understand that, and I’m a bit mad at myself because I stepped over my personal code of conduct, which is all the more proof that you’re irresistible. And now I’m full-on rambling. And then you showed up with food, and... I mean, am I dreaming?”
I looked up at him because he was suspiciously silent. To my astonishment, amusement danced in his eyes.
“You’re fucking adorable,” he said.
“Because I’m rambling?”
“You just are.” He tucked the blanket under my chin, resting his hand on my shoulder. I liked feeling his warm hand over me.
“What did you and Paisley do today?”
“We went to one of the vineyards and walked around checking the grapes. Nora also wrote to tell me that she might not be able to take Paisley on the vacation she promised this fall.”
“Oh no. How did Paisley take it?”
“In stride.”
I could feel him putting up walls around himself. I couldn’t explain how, but I felt it. But then a smile inched over his features, as if he was inwardly laughing at a private joke. “Paisley and I actually talked about me dating this evening. She says she can find me a nice lady.”
“That does sound like her.” I frowned, not understanding where he was going with this. My heart rate intensified. “So what are you saying?” I whispered.
He cleared his throat, looking straight at me and bringing his fingers under my chin again. “I don’t want you to worry about anything. Take extra days off to get back on your feet. Tomorrow is the Fourth of July anyway, so stay home and relax. I’m taking care of you, and then we’ll see.”
“Tate...”
“Lexi...”
“You don’t have to take care of me.”
“But I want to. And I will. No discussion.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, okay, then, Mr. Alpha.”
The next morning, I wondered if I dreamed that Tate was here last evening, being all swoon-worthy and stocking my fridge. I already felt better. The pain had dulled a bit, but my eyes still watered if I moved my head too briskly. The doctor said ear infections can affect the nose and eyes too, and I was definitely feeling it.
I went to the kitchen and opened the fridge to check if I had any yogurt. I gasped, seeing the containers of food.
Oh wow. I hadn’t imagined it! Tate really had been here.
I pressed a hand to my chest, smiling. The man was definitely something else.
Taking out my phone, I texted him.
Lexi: Thanks again for the food. I actually thought I imagined your visit last night.