Kenny shut the door behind them with a determined look, guiding Dawn to the examination table.

“Sit,” he ordered firmly, pointing to the green-and-white-striped surface.

Dawn tried to protest, shivering as she spoke. “Kenny, I’m fine. I j-just need to rest a bit.”

“Rest? You’re soaked, freezing, and your lips are blue! You shouldn’t have even stepped out of the house in this weather!” Kenny snapped, though his voice was tinged with worry rather than anger.

Dawn reluctantly sat down, wrapping her arms around herself. Kenny quickly grabbed a clean blanket from the supply cabinet and draped it over her shoulders.

“Hold still,” he instructed, grabbing a thermometer from his tray.

Dawn opened her mouth to protest, but Kenny cut her off. “Not a word, Dee Dee. Just let me check.”

The thermometer beeped after a few moments, and Kenny’s frown deepened. “You’ve got a fever, Dawn. What were you thinking coming out here in this blizzard?”

“I… I just wanted to bring you lunch,” Dawn admitted, her voice trembling as much from the cold as from his concern. “You always work so hard. I didn’t want you to skip a meal.”

Kenny sighed, his frustration melting into tenderness. He gently tilted her chin up so she had to meet his gaze. “Dee Dee, I appreciate it. I really do. But your health is more important than my lunch.”

Dawn’s eyes welled with tears, a mixture of exhaustion and relief. “I didn’t want you to think I forgot about you.”

Kenny softened further, brushing a strand of damp hair from her face. “I could never think that. You’re always looking out for me, but sometimes, you’ve gotta let me take care of you too.”

She sniffled and nodded, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders. Kenny grabbed a towel from the cabinet and started patting her hair dry, his movements gentle but efficient.

“Okay, here’s the plan,” he said, his tone lighter now. “You’re staying here until the snow lets up. I’ll heat up your lunch and grab some soup for you from the employee room. Deal?”

Dawn hesitated. “But your work—”

“Can wait,” Kenny interrupted firmly. “Right now, my priority is you.”

Her cheeks flushed, though she wasn’t sure if it was from the fever or his words. “Okay. Deal.”

Kenny grinned, ruffling her hair playfully. “Good girl. Now, stay put, and no sneaking off while I’m gone, got it?”

Dawn smiled weakly, her body already feeling warmer under the blanket. “Got it.”

As Kenny left the room to fetch the soup, she leaned back on the examination table, her heart full despite her exhaustion. Maybe braving the snowstorm had been worth it after all.