Derek was a little startled at the sudden hug and rush of emotion, though he caught her and tentatively patted her back soothingly, still a tad bit stunned at the force of her gratitude but glad he could help and make someone feel so thankful.
Her stomach growled again, and she ducked her head and huffed. ‘before,’ she wrote, giving him a sheepish look. Another wave of dizziness swept over her, and she held still, waiting for it to pass and hoping she wouldn’t pass out.
Derek nodded and stepped up to her. “I’m going to pick you up again,” he said after seeing her sway. He didn’t give her much time to respond before he gently wrapped an arm around her upper back and then scooped her carefully up behind her knees, cradling her to his chest and carrying her outside and to his car swiftly, careful not to jostle her. Sitting her in the front seat, he left the door open and went to the trunk to rummage for something, bringing back a couple of protein bars and a bottle of water and handing them over. “It isn’t a lot right now, but it will get something healthy in you and help you not feel so dizzy until I can make you proper food at the loft.”
The speed of his reaction surprised her; he’d been so cautious before. She turned the protein bars over in her hands, not confused by them, but just thinking. Thinking about the way she’d turned to fit herself in the car, and the way her hands had automatically reached for the seatbelt. Putting the bars down, she tried to twist the bottle’s cap off, but her hands were shaking too much. She bared her teeth at it, frustrated.