like, you eat oatmeal, right?”
He crossed his arms over his chest.
“I eat Quaker oatmeal and I have for years. I have it every morning and it keeps me regular.”
He rolled his eyes.
“So, if I like it, why would I switch to Crème of Wheat?”’
“Because it’s something new…”
“But I know when I try it, I’ll still think Quaker is better.”
He gripped his head. “What are we talking about here?”
“I’m not totally sure…”
“You want to go out with her or not?”
“Uh…” Alessandra and I were just fucking around. We were friends who liked getting busy. That’s all it was. But I couldn’t shake the feeling inside me. When I thought about doing it with some other girl, it didn’t feel right. Why spend the evening with a stranger when all I wanted to do was be with Alessandra? The novelty would wear off eventually, but for right now, I really liked it. “No, I’ll pass.”
“What the hell?” he snapped. “No, you’re coming.”
“Dude, I just said no.”
“I already told her I would bring a friend—you.”
“Well, too bad.”
“Look, if I don’t bring someone for her friend, then she’s going to be an awkward third wheel—and I won’t get laid.”
“If she’s a model, I’m sure she can pick up some guy on her own.”
“Shut up and come.”
I growled. “Dude, I’m just not feeling it right now.”
“You’re really going to screw me over like this?”
“Screw you over?” I snapped. “You’re the one who just assumed I would do it.”
“Because why the hell would you say no? That’s not the Ash I know.”
Yeah, I hadn’t been myself lately.
“Dude, she’s so fucking hot. I need this.” He gave me that look of desperation. “Just go out with us and keep her busy. Do it for me.” He pressed his palms together like he was praying. “Please.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine.”
“Thank you. I owe you.”
“You bet your ass you do.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Alessandra
I blew my nose into the tissue and felt the dampness of the cotton. It was soaked with my mucous and so disgusting. I tossed it into the waste bin then grabbed another one.
My nose was red in irritation from constantly wiping it, my eyes were glistening, and I couldn’t breathe. I was sicker than a dog and I felt like shit.
“Girl, go home.” Shelly stared at me like I had a deadly disease that could kill her.
“I have too much to do, and I have a few assignments today and tomorrow.”
“I’ll cancel for you.”
“I can’t do that.” I sneezed into the tissue again. The air came out so fast I made a hole in the thin paper.
“Gross…”
I grabbed another one and wiped my nose. My body was so tired and achy. I could barely keep my eyes open because they were swollen shut.
“You can’t escort someone when you look like that. You’ll gross them out.”
“But I can’t bail.”
“It’s better to bail and find a replacement instead of…getting this.”
I felt terrible for standing my clients up. They needed my help.
“I’m ordering you to go home.” Shelly pointed at the door. “Now.”
“But I—”
“No buts. Get out of here.”
“Okay…” I cleaned up my desk and grabbed my purse. It was probably best if I went home. I could barely walk and see a foot in front of me. “See you later.” I headed to the door.
“Feel better, honey.”
Instead of walking to my apartment, I took a cab. I couldn’t handle the mile walk, not in that state. I just wanted to go to sleep. My chest hurt from every breath I took, and my nose was clogged and runny at the same time.
By the time I got through my front door, I was barely holding on. I tossed all my things aside and headed to my bedroom. I didn’t bother undressing and I barely kicked my shoes off. I lay on the bed and pulled the sheets over me. My eyes closed and I felt a little better.
But I couldn’t sleep because I was so congested. I tried to breathe through my mouth but that was just uncomfortable. I tossed and turned but could never get in the right position. My chest felt constricted like someone wrapped me in wire.
I hated being sick.
***
Hours passed and I couldn’t get any sleep. My throat hurt constantly, and every time I swallowed, it felt worse. I needed ice cream or soup but I didn’t have either. I was stupid and didn’t pick up Nyquil on the way. I was way too sick to go now, and growing weaker by the second.
I didn’t know whom