He shook his head. “Absolutely not. You’re going to be my guest this week. I won’t take no for an answer.”
She bit her lip. She was afraid he’d say that. “I’m just not feeling . . . a hundred percent.”
A look of worry crossed his face. “Do you need to go to the doctor?”
“No! I just . . . need some me time.” And hopefully that “me” time would involve a quick trip down to the gift shop for some Midol and pads.
Loch frowned, but then slowly got up from his perch on one of the tables. “I should probably get my morning jog in—”
“Yes! That’s an excellent idea! You should definitely do that.”
He tilted his head. “You sure you’re all right?” At her over-enthusiastic nod, he headed for the bedroom. “All right, then. I’ll change into my jogging clothes and be back shortly.”
“Fabulous! I’ll be here.”
He nodded then moved toward her. “Let me carry you back to the couch—”
“No!” she yelped. If he did, she was sure to, well, gush. Ugh. “I can make it myself! I’ll just hop!”
“And crack your skull again? I don’t think so.” He moved toward her and she flinched backward. To her relief he paused. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Just not in a touchy-feely mood at the moment.”
“I see. All right. I’ll let you get back there on your own, then, but no hopping.”
“No hopping!” She limped across the bedroom and headed for the couch, hoping he wouldn’t see on her face just how much her stupid ankle was hurting at the moment. She thumped down on the couch and then winced when she realized her phone was across the room, and still vibrating with incoming messages. Crap. Loch was still in the bedroom so she hobble-walked over to retrieve it and her laptop, and then made her way slowly back to the couch.
Loch emerged from the bedroom a few moments later, dressed in jogging pants, a tight gray shirt that made all her tingly girl parts tingle just a little bit more, his shaggy hair pulled back into a man-ponytail. It shouldn’t have looked half as sexy as it did, but damn, he was working it.
Well, that and she was ultra horny thanks to her dang period. God, this was going to be a long week.
He gave her another curious look as he tugged one foot behind him, stretching his hamstrings. “You sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine. I’m just going to lie here and”—bleed in misery—“check my email.”
Loch grunted acknowledgement, stretched his other leg, and then moved to the table, tucking his phone into a pocket. “You have my number if you need me, yes?”
Had they exchanged phone numbers? She couldn’t remember. “I’ll be fine,” she deflected, and opened her laptop.
He hesitated for a moment longer, then left the room.
The moment he did, she leapt for the room phone. The woman at the front desk was sympathetic and understanding . . . and wanted to bill it to Loch’s room. Taylor had to do a bit of coaxing to get the woman to accept cash for it instead, and she waited by the door of the room for the drop-off. As she waited, she checked her phone.
It was like a double whammy of crap. Not only was her boss demanding to know where she was, but Sigmund was blowing up her phone, too. The knot of anxiety returned to her stomach. Why was it she could never make people happy? Loch thought she was being weird, and now both Sigmund and her boss were pissed at her.
At least she could do some damage control. She quickly texted her boss back. Sorry. I’ll log on ASAP. I hit my head this weekend and am staying at a friend’s so he can watch over me.
Three dots immediately showed up, telling her that her boss was already texting a message back. Well, that wasn’t good. She glanced at the clock. Ten in the morning. Okay, so she was a few hours late for her seven A.M. shift. She’d just work late to make up for it.
I see. Do you have a note from the doctor?
I didn’t get one. I’ll just work late. Sorry again.
This is the third time this month you’ve been late or called in, Taylor. Last month your record was even worse. Do we need to talk?
She winced. No, I promise it won’t happen again.
You said that last time.
So she had. This is truly the last time, I promise.
No response. Well, that had gone over like a lead balloon. She’d just have to do damage control and knock out one of the projects he was waiting on. Now for problem number two.
HaveANiceTay: I’m here, Sigmund. I’ve just been busy.
His response was immediate, too.
Sigmund: I’d swear you’re avoiding me, Taylor. I hate that.
Sigmund: You’re the only good thing in my life.
Hello, guilt. Nice to have you back.
HaveANiceTay: Sorry. I’m at my friend’s. She’s watching me because the doctor said I should be careful for a few days.
She hoped Loch would understand that his gender was temporarily female, because otherwise Sig might go nuts.
Sigmund: Are you not okay?
Sigmund: I played your toon in Saturday night’s raid. Hope that’s all right.
HaveANiceTay: It’s fine. Thanks for picking up the slack.
Sigmund: Everyone’s real worried about you, Tay.
HaveANiceTay: Aww, that’s sweet. Tell them my head is fine, I promise. It feels much better today.
Sigmund: No, not about that. About all the time you’ve been taking away from the guild. It’s like you don’t care anymore.
Sigmund: People are counting on you, you know. We can’t raid without you.