Settling in for another day of being pampered, I watched Groth move around the kitchen before frowning and looking around.
“Where’s Azio?”
“He went to retrieve the things you gathered.”
I jolted upright.
“He what?”
Groth blinked at me as I scrambled off the couch and rushed toward him.
“Why would Azio do that? He knows it’s not safe.”
“He will be fine. He took many brothers with him to clear out the infected. They are too close to Tenacity for safety.”
My brain glitched. They were going back to the same spot on purpose, knowing the infected would be waiting.
“I think I’m going to be sick,” I said softly.
Groth picked me up without warning and carried me back to the couch. Then he pulled a Mom move by setting his palm against my forehead.
“You are not warm. I’ll send for Cassie.”
I grabbed his hand when he started to stand.
“I’m not sick-sick. I’m sick with worry. I don’t want Azio to die, Groth. I…really like him.”
The worry melted away from Groth’s expression, and he grinned at me.
“Azio really likes you, too. He will return. He knows you need him.” He patted my shoulder and stood. “I have chocolate syrup for your pancakes. That will help you feel better.”
The caring giant spent the rest of the morning doing his best to distract me with chick flicks and questions about why women did some of the things they did in the movies.
As the hours passed, though, he noticed my growing worry and coaxed me from the couch to help him make lunch. I did my best to ignore the returning cramps and other aches, along with the fading daylight.
I was sitting on the couch eating my fears via the last of the cookie dough when the front door opened. Swiveling in my spot, I turned to glare at Azio.
“About damn time,” I yelled.
Then I threw my spoon at him and winced at the aggressive boob jiggle it caused.
“And I want my bra back!”