the moment until you decide what you want to do with the rest of your life.” Jensen took another sip. “You may wish to go to college.”
“No, no I don’t want to.” Dash had gone from calm to nearly panic-stricken in the blink of an eye.
“Sweetheart, you absolutely don’t have to do anything you don’t want to,” Jensen said calmly. “College is just an option.” He considered what Dash had told him about school. “So are online courses. You do know you don’t actually have to go in the college.” Dash nodded, but he didn’t look any easier.
“So what do you think about staying here?”
Dash gazed at him for a long moment while Jensen held his breath, and he smiled. “I would love to live here.”
“That’s settled, then.” He reached for his tea. “You go get in the shower while I make us something to eat, then I’ll get ready while you tidy away.”
“Thank you.” And carefully Dash pressed a kiss to Jensen’s cheek, scrambled up and left the room. Jensen fingered his cheek, a small smile hovering on his lips, then reluctantly got up to get breakfast.
“Mr. Carmichael?” Patrick Rose opened his office door as Jensen glanced up from where he was ensconced in the waiting room. Jensen stood and walked over, following him back into his office. He glanced around, but Dash wasn’t there. “Dash is with my nurse just getting some more blood taken, but he has given me permission to share my findings.”
Jensen felt the dread licking at his insides, and he was sure he would have paled. “What’s wrong?”
His eyebrows shot up. “Oh nothing. I’m very pleased with Dash. He’s put weight on in only five days, and he reports no instances of feeling faint or sick.” Jensen heaved a sigh and smiled.
“I actually wanted to ask how you were doing?”
It was Jensen’s turn to look surprised. “I’m fine.”
“I’m not your primary doctor, so I have no way of knowing whether that’s true or not, but just remember you can’t look after Dash unless you yourself are as healthy as you can be.”
Jensen nodded, vowing to start running again.
They both heard the door open, and Jensen glanced over as Dash came back in. He looked calm and immediately smiled. Jensen held out his hand without thinking, and he clasped it and sat down next to him. It was reassuring to see him happy, and hearing he was healthier settled something in Jensen.
“I want you to come for your blood sugar levels testing every three months,” Patrick said. “One of your risk factors is your body simply getting used to a low blood sugar and not giving you warning signals you would recognize. Over time that can cause huge problems.” He glanced at Jensen. “Dash told me the sort of meals he’s been eating, and it all sounds excellent. Any questions?”
Jensen glanced at Dash. “Did Dash tell you he gets migraines?” Dash flushed, and Jensen wondered if Dash thought he was overstepping.
“He did and yes, I can easily refer him, but he has reported none in the last week.” Patrick smiled. “Migraines are often a symptom of sugar problems, and with the timing of when he got them, I would take an educated guess at that.” Jensen frowned, about to object at any sort of guesswork. “I offered to refer Dash for further investigation, but he has refused unless the migraines come back.”
“Hmm,” Jensen said disapprovingly. They would talk about that. Patrick stood up and reminded Dash to make his next appointment before he left and said if there was any anomaly with the blood tests, he would be in touch. He walked them to the door.
“Ellie tells me you are both coming to the club on Friday.”
“Possibly,” Jensen hedged because he had forgotten all about it, and certainly hadn’t mentioned it to Dash.
“Excellent,” Patrick said. “I’ll see you there.”
Outside, Dash looked at Jensen, the question all over his face. Jensen steered him out of the building and to the car. Making sure he was in and his seat belt fastened, he jogged back around to his side and started the engine.
“What club?”
“It’s the BDSM club that Ellie and Abigail go to. She invited us both as her guests.”
Dash went very still. “And what did you tell her?”
“I avoided answering as much as I could.”
“Why?” Dash asked baldly.
“Because it’s not me,” Jensen admitted. “I once went years ago, and I never returned.”
“Steven was a member of a club like that. More than one actually, except he