Pandora's Box (previously Worth the Wait, a Zebra print best seller) by Kat Attalla

Monica Lawson’s son, she reminded herself. But so is Erik, a small voice nagged back.
    After Damian left today, she probably wouldn’t see him again, anyway. So why did that bother her? She didn’t need anyone. Of that she was certain.
     
     
    * * * *
     
    Despite her confusion, Charlie enjoyed the afternoon of studying . . . and Damian’s presence. However, as the day progressed, she began to feel tired and prayed that her lack of sleep the night before was responsible. She’d been attending classes, working, and studying for so many hours a day, she was running herself down. With less than a month until graduation, she couldn’t afford to get sick.
    She tried to concentrate on the notes and books spread out across the coffee table, but her weary eyelids closed far too often. The room felt stifling, even with the windows opened.
    “Charlie. When and where was the first discovery of Neanderthal man?” Erik questioned from the textbooks in front of him.
    “Friday night at the bar when your brother walked in?” she muttered. Her small joke got a good laugh but she was too exhausted to appreciate it. She slumped back in the sofa and wrapped her arms around her body.
    “Is something wrong?” Damian asked.
    “I’m a little tired.”
    He placed his hand on her forehead and then down along her cheek. She leaned into him, enjoying the contact and the warmth of his body. “You’re burning up. You need a doctor.”
    “I just need a couple of aspirin and some sleep.”
    “We should go,” Erik said.
    “You don’t have to.” Her soft protest was barely audible. She didn’t make a second offer when he stood up to leave.
    “Damian?” Erik called out
    “I’ll leave after she takes the aspirin.”
    ** * *
    As the door closed behind Erik, she dragged herself to her feet, refusing help from Damian. She stumbled into the kitchen and removed the aspirin from the cabinet. The childproof cap gave her a struggle. He took the bottle from her hands and opened it for her.
    “I really think you should go to the emergency room and see a doctor.” He handed her two tablets and poured a glass of water from the tap.
    “It’s nothing.”
    “Your temperature is way above normal.”
    “Thank you, Dr. Westfield, for your professional opinion.” She swallowed the water and poured another glass. “If it doesn’t pass by tomorrow, I’ll go to the school infirmary.”
    “You should go now, before it gets worse.”
    “I don’t want to go now. I want to sleep.”
    “Are you afraid of hospitals?”
    She shook her head.
    “Then what is the problem? You’re risking your health.”
    “Leave me alone, please.” She splashed cool water on her face and rested her elbows on the counter.
    He handed her a paper towel from the rack. “No, I won’t leave you alone. Tell me what the problem is.”
    A combination of exhaustion and anger apparently unleashed her temper. “See if you can grasp this concept. I can’t afford an emergency room visit. If I wait until tomorrow, the infirmary is free.”
    “I’ll pay.”
    “Over my dead body. And that is the only way you’ll get me there. I’ll survive until tomorrow.”
    She would risk her health of the sake of her pride. How could he deal with that? “Why are you so damned stubborn?”
    “If you feel the need to help, why don’t you pull out the sofa for me.” That she asked for anything at all was a testament to how sick she felt. She was barely holding herself up under her own steam.
    Damian removed the cushions and opened the bed. He returned to the kitchen and scooped her up in his arms.
    “I can walk,” she protested feebly.
    “Yeah, right. And you’re not sick either,” he indulged her sarcastically. He placed her on the bed and pulled a blanket over her. She curled up inside and held it against her shivering body.
    He sat on the edge of the bed and pushed a strand of hair off her damp cheek. She reached up and took his hand. Instead of pushing him away as he