Page 106 of Out of Bounds

I need to.

Ryan drew his hand back and took my glass away. "I’m driving you home."

Say no.

"Ryan, I’m okay, really."

"No, it’s late. You’re not walking."

I stared ahead, glum.

I’m sure this sounds great for the interviews.

41

Kassie

The Jaws Theme

We waited outside together for the car but there was something up with Kassie and I didn’t understand it. She had her arms locked around herself and kept her eyes on the bushes, even when I tried to get her attention. Kassie looked…fragile.

I shrugged off my suit jacket and held it out. “It’s cold.”

“Hm?” Her eyes widened. “Oh, I’m—I’m good.”

I didn’t budge until she finally took the jacket. That’s how it was with her though,

“I had a great time tonight,” I said.

Kassie didn’t say anything.

“Art girl?”

“What?”

“I had a great time tonight.”

Slowly, she nodded. “Yeah. It was fun.”

Valet drove up with my car but I couldn’t fight that weird feeling, watching her. I opened the passenger door and hesitated, glancing back. “Is everything alright?”

“Everything’s fine.” She slipped into the car and I closed the door after her.

I took the driver’s seat, thinking over. “What’s your preferred pharmacy?”

“I don’t need anything, Ryan.”

“You’re definitely sick and before Cleo freaks out about it, we can pick something up. Or I can drop you off and pick something up. Yeah. I’ll drop you off and—”

“Ryan. I don’t needanything.”

She was just trying to put a brave face on. I could feel how unhappy she was in the car.

“You don’t have anything in your cabinets.” I nodded to myself. “Trust me, I know.”

For a moment, Kassie rested back in the passenger seat and pressed her forehead against the window, gazing outside. I kept glancing over at her. It was hard not to. But I knew what she was doing. She didn’t want me to bring my credit card into the equation.

“Can I ask you a question?” I finally said.

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