“Jack?” She opened her eyes. A light from across the room illuminated Aidan’s handsome features, and she winced at the brief flash of hurt that crossed his face. “I was dreaming. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Are you hungry?”

“Kind of.”

“Will you be okay for a minute while I go downstairs to get you something?”

She nodded weakly.

“What sounds good? Soup? Eggs? Toast? Whatever you want.”

“Toast, please.”

Aidan kissed her cheek. “Coming right up. Don’t run away.”

She groaned at the thought of running anywhere.

He had to wake her up again when he returned with the toast.

“What time is it?” she asked as she nibbled on a piece of cinnamon toast.

“About three in the morning.”

“Have you been up all night? I’m sorry.”

“I slept for a few hours. Don’t worry about me. By the way, Happy New Year.”

“I missed it?”

“Slept right through it.” He brushed back a lock of her hair and kissed her forehead. “Listen, um, I need to give you a shot.”

“So I didn’t dream that?”

“No.”

“Do you know what you’re doing?”

He nodded.

“How?”

“That’s a story for another day, when you’re better. For now, trust me?”

She wiggled a finger to bring him down closer to her so she could kiss his cheek. “I trust you.”

“Thank you,” he said and gave her the shot. “Now, I want you to drink all that water, you hear me? We can’t let you get dehydrated.”

“Yes, sir, but I need to pee.”

He carried her into the bathroom, which was a lot like hers at home in Rhode Island, except Aidan’s Jacuzzi had sliding glass doors that could be opened to the outdoors. Moonlight beamed in through skylights. “From what I’ve seen of it, this house is really something. Did you build it yourself?”

“Every nail. Do you think you can stand up?”

“Of course,” she said, but when he set her down, the earth moved. She reached out to grip the pedestal sink.

He held her up from behind. “Get your bearings,” he said. “Okay?”

“Yeah, but don’t go far.”

“I’ll be right outside the door.”

When she was done, she washed her hands and face and ran a hand through her hair. She was afraid to look in the mirror. A fierce coughing fit stole her last bit of energy.

When he heard her coughing, Aidan came in and put his arms around her.

“Can you grab my toothbrush for me?” she asked when the coughing had subsided.

“Sure. Hold on to something.”

He left her gripping the sink and returned a minute later with her toothbrush. Reaching into the medicine cabinet, he grabbed a tube of toothpaste and squeezed some onto her toothbrush.

“Some kind of service at this hospital.”

“We don’t mess around,” he said, holding her eyes for a moment longer than necessary.