“I’m sure it would.” He balanced the glass on the edge of the wooden board and tore off a piece of the baguette before placing it on her plate. “Can I cut you some ham or would you prefer the salmon? Or both?”

The thought of fish didn’t appeal which was strange because she loved salmon. Maybe she wasn’t quite as used to flying yet as what she thought. “I’ll have the ham please.”

Torrent rummaged in the bag and removed a knife and a jar of mustard. “Nearly forgot this.” He opened the jar and placed it in front of her. Then he got to work carving some slices of ham, stopping abruptly. “Ahh!” He put the knife down and reached for his napkin but not before she saw blood blossomed from a slice on his index finger. It was about a half an inch long.

Nausea tugged at her stomach. It rushed through her, causing bile to rise in her throat and sweat to form on her brow. She put a hand over her mouth and made a gagging noise. Okay, so the flight really had affected her.

Torrent frowned. “Are you okay?” He quickly wrapped the finger in his napkin.

As soon as she couldn’t see the wound anymore, some of the queasiness subsided. She took in big gulps of air. Don’t puke, Candy. Whatever you do don’t puke.

She could still taste bile and swallowed thickly, licking her lips.

Torrent touched her knee. “Are you are alright?” The creases in his forehead were all the more pronounced, his voice thick with concern.

“I’m sorry.” She managed to get out between breaths. “I’ve never been able to stand the sight of blood. It makes me feel ill.”

Torrent burst out laughing. He laughed so loud that his eyes filled up with tears.

“This is funny to you? Seriously? My feeling sick to my stomach is funny to you?” She leaned forward and punched him once on the side of the arm.

He grabbed ahold of her fist and brushed his lips across her knuckles. Torrent shook his head. “No, that’s not what I find amusing. You want to study to be a doctor yet you can’t stand the sight of blood. There is no logic there.”

“I’m sure I could work through it… around it.”

He leaned back, taking a look under the napkin. “All healed.” He announced. “You might want to turn away while I wash off the remaining blood.”

Against her will, she pulled a face at the thought of blood.