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He stepped forward and took hold of her chin, tilting her face up “I didn’t say it was a bad thing” He ran a thumb over her cheek He hadn’t liked the way she curled in on herself, as though she were ashamed

She straightened her shoulders “Why are you here?”

“Well, it’s not to condeined debt—”

“It’s not an iined debt”

“Please don’t interrupt me,” he reprimanded in a soft voice

She stared up at hi unsure “Sorry”

“I’y said you’ve called in sick for the last three days and I,” was concerned, “thought I should check on you”

She licked her lips “I’m fine”

“I wouldn’t say that exactly” He ran his gaze over her, and she stiffened, throwing her shoulders back with a frown Better “But you don’t seeirl?”

“No”

He ground his teeth together Then forced hi of food he’d brought from the diner He pulled out the cardboard containers filled with food

“These will be cold by now but should be okay once they’re reheated”

“Oh, you didn’t have to bring food with you” But she rabbed a container and popped it into the ancient microwave

“Considering the state of your cupboards, it seerowled back “Why don’t you have any food?”

She stared at theit to cook faster “I’ve been sick, reet to the market”