Contractual Obligations (Aisle and Error, #1)

by Elle Rivers

“Are you okay?” he asked. Was I hallucinating? “Yeah, I’m fine,” I whispered, even though it was a lie. My feet were aching in my heels. My lower back hurt from sitting in a salon all day, not to mention my stomach’s angry growls for food. Sebastian shook his head. “Don’t,” he said, but it wasn’t with malice. “I know you well enough to see when you’re not okay. Don’t try to deny it.” I gulped. He didn’t look mad or disappointed, but I felt bad for not being my best self. “I’m sorry,” I said. “You’re right. I don’t feel well.” “You don’t have to be sorry. I just ask that you let me help.” “I’m . . .” Exhausted? In pain? Tired of being a human Barbie? “Hungry.”

“I don’t know if I’m ready.” “That’s okay. Just remember that ripping the Band-Aid off allows you to heal sooner.” I nodded. “Thank you,” I said. “You could have judged me, but you didn’t.” “Why would I judge you?” “I’m . . . not sure. My former best friend did, though.” “Sounds like a bad best friend.” “She was worried about me. She thought I did all of this to stay on my family’s good side.” “So what if you did? There’s still no reason to judge you.”