The next morning, Shandi awoke Rob with breakfast on a tray, then went to help Mariane feed herself. She didn't have much of an appetite but Shandi convinced her to eat half of her egg white omelet and two slices of toast. While she washed it down with weak lavender tea, Shandi moved over to Rob's bed, checking on her progress and was happy to see that Rob had finished her meal, sopping up the last of her runny egg yolk with toast.
"Good." Shandi took the tray, stacking the plates. "You needed to eat. I bet that's the first real meal you've eaten since she arrived."
"You're far too observant."
"Not when it's someone I care about."
Mariane didn't give Rob a second to respond because she choked on her tea. Shandi went dashing over, wiping Mariane's chin and hands. "Sorry."
"We have to talk about Rob, Mariane. I love her." Mariane looked over at Rob who was just sliding out of bed, then returned her gaze to Shandi. "If we're going to work together, I want things to be smooth between us."
Her head dipped a little and both Rob and Shandi saw tears drip onto her hand. "I was so jealous of you. I saw the attraction when you first got here and I was so jealous." She sat back, wiping her cheeks with a shaky hand. "I've been in love with Rob since the first day and when you just waltzed in and took over ... I just lost it." Mariane's eyes connected with Rob's. "I lied when I said that she seduced the new girls. Rob's not like that. She'll give you all the love you need but she never lets anyone get close."
Shandi looked up at Rob and Rob reached down, clutching Shandi's hand. "Can you deal with this?"
