"I don't know. I feel awful."
He kissed the top of her head. "I'll go get you a Coke and some crackers. It'll help you settle your stomach."
She thanked him, then went to the sink to brush her teeth while he went to get the Coke.
When she left the bathroom, she found Talon waiting in bed for her.
She sat down beside him and pulled the covers over her body. She was still shaky and queasy.
Talon handed her a cracker and a can of Coke.
"Hmm," she said, taking them from him. "You must like me a lot to let me eat crackers in your bed."
He brushed the hair back from her face. His eyes burned her with their intensity. "Yes, I do."
His words sent a chill over her. "Do you, Talon? Or is it Nynia you love? When you look at me, do you see Sunshine or your wife?"
"I see you both."
Sunshine cringed at his answer. That wasn't what she wanted to hear. All her life, she had struggled to be herself. Her parents accepted her, but the guys she'd dated had all wanted to change her.
Even Jerry.
The last guy she dated had only been interested in her because she reminded him of his ex-girlfriend.
Now she reminded Talon of his ex-wife.
She couldn't win for losing.
Why couldn't someone just love her for being Sunshine?
Would Talon be so tender and attentive now if she weren't his wife reincarnated?
"What do you like about me?" she asked, nibbling her cracker.
"I like your fire and I love your body."
"Gee, thanks. Does that mean if I were fat and hideous you'd run for the door?"
"Would you run for the door if I was?"
Touche. The man was quick with a comeback. "Probably so. No doubt, I'd break it down trying to escape you."
He laughed at that. "I'd run after you if you did."
"Would you?"
"Yes, I would."
But would he run after Sunshine or Nynia?
The question haunted her.
Sunshine leaned over and kissed his forehead. "You need to get some sleep. You look really tired." And he did.
It was almost noon and, unlike her, he wasn't used to staying up all day.
"Okay. Remember, Nick is four and a pound sign on the phone if you need anything. And don't go far. Camulus will be coming back, I just don't know when. At least here I know the gators will slow them down. So make sure you stay close enough that I can reach you if something happens."