Page 69 of Divine Obsession

“I couldn’t,” I mumbled through the sniffles.

“Why not?” His voice was safe. So safe, it plucked the truth straight out of my mouth.

“You needed someone to be there for you.”

Trevor tensed, and I wanted to take what I’d said back. Maybe it’d been too much. We weren’t actually friends, just acquaintances by default.

Pulling back, his onyx eyes pierced mine. “So did you.”

He didn’t have to make sure I was okay. He didn’t have to comfort me.

But he did.

What even made someone a gentleman?

Manners? Language?

Orthis?

Growing up in the Bronx meant always looking over my shoulder. And even though since finding my family, I had power I hadn’t even dreamed of – I was still new to everything. I was still jumpy and sometimes insecure.

My eyes burned again, but for a complete other reason.

I’d never felt so safe before.

Of course – with none other than Trevor Su. Hewaspower.

Bringing up a hand, he wiped my cheek with his thumb. “Everything’s gonna be okay.”

Pulling away, I gave him a wobbly smile as I wiped away the remaining tears. “Look who’s the positive one now.”

Trevor flashed one of his perfect smiles, nodding his head towards the exit. “Let’s get something to eat.”

“We don’t have to leave–”

“C’mon.” He winked, his hand finding the small on my back. “I gotta pay you back for that chai.”

Chapter 17

Present

“Wait, wait, wait…” She managed to speak through the laughter bubbling out of her. “So, you actually played the clarinet?”

I chuckled, pulling up the picture proof from my camera roll and holding my phone out like evidence. Eight-year-old me playing the godforsaken instrument.

Natalia broke into another fit of laughter, her head tilting back against the booth couch. When she came back, she was wiping actual tears from her eyes. “What did you do to your parents to deserve this type of punishment?”

My chest shook with laughter. “Says Lisa Simpson.”

She gasped.

I smirked. “Mhm. I know all about how you got your scholarship to NYU,Miss Saxophonist. Captain of the cheerleading team, debate team and choir.”

“Oh, my God…” Natalia’s face turned red before she hid it behind her hands. “How did I not get bullied?”

“You were too pretty,” I replied honestly, stealing one of the fries off her plate.

“Oh, shut up!” She waved me off, returning to her food, still giggling.

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