Page 86 of Tempted To Be Mine

I followed her, touched by the gesture. That was when I saw the clock. It was noon. My ten minutes had been four hours. “Thank you. Really.”

She set everything on the counter and turned to face me, her eyes assessing. “Let me check your temperature.”

“I don’t think I have a fever.”

“Humor me.”

She produced a thermometer from her bag that was stuffed with Pepto, Advil, and an assortment of first-aid supplies. She pressed it to my forehead. A moment later, it beeped.

“Normal,” she announced. “No fever. That’s good.”

“I think it’s just exhaustion. The travel was brutal, and I haven’t been sleeping well.”

Bernadette raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing at her lips. “Are you sure it’s just the travel keeping you up?”

I felt heat rush to my cheeks. “What do you mean?”

“Lucy.” She crossed her arms and leaned against the counter. “I’ve been doing this job for a while. I notice things. Like the way Jeremy looks at you. The way you look at him. Moments. Sweet, intimate looks. Do you think we put you in this chalet together by accident?”

I opened my mouth to deny it, but nothing came out. Bernadette laughed.

“It’s okay. I suspected something was going on. You two have a connection. Anyone with eyes can see it.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“To me, yes. But I’m trained to observe.” She shrugged. “For what it’s worth, I think Jeremy’s a great guy. But I’m biased.”

“Biased how?”

“I married Sebastian. The former face of Blackwell Couture.” Her smile turned wry. “Maybe I just have a thing for models.”

I laughed. “How did you two make it work? With the travel, the shoots, women ogling your man. All of it feels like so much.”

“Communication. Patience. A lot of understanding that this life isn’t normal.” She reached out and squeezed my arm. “But when you find someone worth the effort, you figure it out. Jeremy’s worth it. I can tell he thinks you’re worth it too. And he only has eyes for you. Never let the little green monster get in the way. Trust me, I know all about that little voice. Ignore it. When Blackwells commit, they don’t stray.”

The words settled over me. I wanted to believe her. I wanted to believe that this thing between Jeremy and me could actually work. It was a huge hope. A fantasy. It was the magical setting playing with my emotions.

“Thank you,” I said. “For the supplies. And the advice.”

“Anytime. Now go rest. I’ll check on you again later.”

After Bernadette left, I heated up some of the soup she’d brought. Chicken noodle. It was in a can, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. I managed a few spoonfuls before my stomach protested. The nausea rolled through me, unexpected and definitely unwelcome.

I pushed the bowl away and pressed a hand to my stomach. I needed more sleep. It made sense that I’d feel off after being on a plane for thirteen hours.

I spent the rest of the day drifting in and out of sleep, wrapped in blankets, watching the snow fall outside the window. It was peaceful. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

By the time I heard the front door open, the sun had set and the chalet was bathed in the warm glow of the fire a groundskeeper had come by to start an hour ago. I was wrapped in a heavy blanket and felt like a human burrito, but I was toasty.

“Hey,” Jeremy said, shrugging off his coat. “How are you feeling?”

“Better. Still tired, but better.”

He crossed the room and knelt beside the couch, pressing the back of his hand to my forehead the same way Bernadette had. “No fever?”

“No fever. Bernadette already checked.”

“She told me she stopped by. Said you were resting.” He smiled. “She also said you two had a nice chat.”