Thomas & January by Fisher Amelie

sick either.”
    “January MacLochlainn,” I said, scrubbing the back of my neck in frustration. “How the hell did you think you were going to do this job, huh? It’s nothing but traveling.”
    “Listen, this isn’t a handicap, okay? I can travel, I just need meds to do it.” Her eyes went wide and she placed her hand over her mouth. “It’s happening,” she said as the boat tipped and weaved in the water, ready to sail.
    “Oh no, it’s not,” I said, grabbing her hand and heading to the shops on the ship. “God, I should have known when you offered that ridiculous ginger candy that only my grandmother would eat.”
    “Please don’t mention food,” she whined.
                  Truthfully? I was more upset that she was in any kind of pain. For some reason, the idea of this girl in agony made my stomach twist. In the nearest shop, I ducked inside and got a lemon-lime carbonated drink that looked like Sprite and a few boxes of seasick meds. I slid Seven’s credit card because I’d forgotten my own back in the car. I didn’t want to think about how I was going to explain these weird charges to Jason. He could just suck it, January was ill.
              “Come on,” I said to a very green looking January. She leaned on me, which let me know just how ill she was. I knew her well enough to know she wouldn’t have done it unless things were dire. She’d wanted me to think she hated me. I dragged her to a window seat and sat her down. I tore off the cap to the soft drink as quickly as possible and handed it to her.
              “Start sipping,” I said. She took it and brought her trembling hands to her mouth.
              I ripped open the box of what I thought looked the most promising, relief-wise, in the shop and handed her the two pills. She downed them quickly and I sat beside her, reading the label to the other box to make sure I could mix the medicines if the other didn’t work. I picked up her bag and dug out her ridiculously ginormous bag of ginger remedy/old lady candy and unwrapped a piece.
              “Take it,” I said, handing it to her.
              She shifted her body around so she wouldn’t be facing the ocean. I dragged her closer to me and made her lean her head on my shoulder. I rubbed up and down her arm until she seemed to feel better, her breathing becoming steady again.
              “Thank you,” she said to the air in front of us.
              “Of course,” I said. I hate seeing you hurt . I’m sorry for hurting you last night. The look on your face speared my icy heart. I wish I could take it all back. But like a coward, I didn’t say any of it. I couldn’t bring myself to say the words.
              She sat up, leaving my side bereft of her warmth. “Do you know why you’re with me here, January?”
              “Because I’m being punished by God?”
              “You’re being groomed,” I told her, ignoring her jab.
              “Pass me that banana, will ya’?” she teased.
              “Good to see you’re feeling better. It was touch and go there for a while,” I joshed back.
              She smirked. “So you’re grooming me.”
              “For my job,” I said.
              Her brows creased. “Why? Are you leaving Seven?”
              “No, I’m being considered for a position on the upper floor. Management, baby,” I said, not realizing I’d said baby until it was too late. Her eyes popped wide for a moment. I cleared my throat. “Management. Mom would be so proud.”
              “No shit. When?”
              “It’s not when it’s if . Jonah and I are both vying for the same position. This little international excursion is a test, a