Page 108 of Through the Water

“Here.” Ari shoved a forkful into her mouth with a muffled, “Is this better?”

My eyebrows raised. “Sure? I didn’t mean you had to eat it, I just thought something might be wrong…” I trailed off. The food wasn’t the problem—it was Brad.

Something about his visit had caused her to shut down, leaving me regretting my decision not to deck him when I had the chance.

Not that I could tell her that if he was a close friend of her family’s. No, the wisest thing to do would be to pretend everything was fine, letting her open up on her own terms.

Once I knew what the bastard had done, we could discuss the logistics of how to maim him. I was leaning towards a baseball bat to his knees—or maybe a fastball to the groin…

Ari lowered the fork to her plate with a sigh. “Listen, I’m really sorry. I just got some bad news earlier, and now I’m taking it out on you.”

“Maybe I can help,” I offered with a smile. “I’m a pretty good listener.”

Ari crossed her arms, dragging my attention down to her breasts. The cut of her dress offered a hint of cleavage, but not enough for me to verify Tsega’s black lingerie claim.

Skimpy little scraps of lace…

“I’ll be fine. Really.”

“I’m serious,” I added, sliding my palm across the table. “I used to be able to cheer my mama up when she was sad.”

Her forehead furrowed. “And what about you, Killian? Who cheered you up?”

I scratched at my jaw and blinked before bringing my eyes back to hers. It was too warm in here all of a sudden. “Uh, I usually just hit the batting cages when I need to cool down and clear my mind.”

Ari’s shoulders sagged, and she looked down at her lap. Christ, it was maddening not being able to get inside her head. She seemed to have no trouble reading me while keeping her own emotions locked down.

She was breathtaking but broken in a way even I couldn’t fix. Not if she wouldn’t let me in. The reality of the situation came up on me like a rogue wave, taking my legs out from under me.

If what Tsega said was true, then we had an expiration date, whether I wanted it or not.

“Hey,” I said softly, bringing her eyes back to mine. “Don’t lower your head. Don’t give anyone that kind of power over you.”

“I’m sorry—”

I shook my head with a sympathetic smile. “Christ, slugger, do you always apologize for things you have no control over?”

Ari’s lips parted and then snapped together just as quickly. I winced when she covered her face until I heard her throaty laughter.

“I do!” She placed her hand over mine and leaned in, breaking the invisible barrier between us. “Do you ever feel like…”

“Like what?” I asked, giving her fingers a light squeeze.

She sighed. “I don’t know if this is the best way to describe it, but like you’re an object and not a person? Does that make sense?”

“Perfect sense,” I answered with a mirthless chuckle, remembering how my own agent had referred to me as a product.

“Yeah, I guess that’s how I feel,” Ari admitted, drawing her lower lip between her teeth. “Like my thoughts and opinions are a nonstarter to my father. Just once, I’d like the freedom to be able to choose what I want for myself.”

I took a drink of my iced tea, wishing it was something a little stronger. “What would you choose?”

“Hmmm…” she deliberated, her green eyes sizing me up. “Sorry, this is a tough one.”

The side of my mouth lifted in a smirk. “You take as much time as you want looking. Sometimes, the answer’s right in front of you.”

Ari’s nose crinkled as she laughed. “Wow, Killian! Hey, look all you want, slugger. I’m the only answer you’ll ever need. Did I mention I’m a super famous baseball player?”

I rolled my eyes at her over-the-top impersonation. “That’s not what I meant. I don’t even sound like that!”

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