Page 75 of Wait For It

It was part of what made him a great agent. Well, that and his ability to capitalize on just about any situation, spinning it into something the masses would readily consume.

If only he could help me find a way to satisfy one passion without losing the other.

We’d agreed not to acknowledge each other outside of her room. I knew that, but it didn’t stop me from chasing her down in the hallway later that afternoon.

After Theo left, I’d called my mama and told her the news. It wasn’t long after that my father began blowing up my phone to congratulate me on my contract before asking if he could take me to dinner. His calls and texts would go unanswered until he got the hint that we were never going to be buddies.

From there, I’d spent an hour with Rocky, getting fitted for my new brace. I wasn’t cleared to lose the crutches completely, but the smaller brace allowed for more range-of-motion and longer periods of weight-bearing.

I also came away with the distinct impression that physical therapy wasn’t going to get any easier once I was out. I didn’t mind being pushed, but I’d come to rely on a certain red-haired beauty to distract me from the pain.

Which was why I was currently ambushing Ari on her way to class. The nurse, Tiffani, slowed her steps as I approached.

“Hey,” I leaned down, somewhat surprised to see her back in the wheelchair. She’d gotten to where she was walking, with help, almost everywhere she went.

The urge to touch her was overwhelming, but I resisted. People might be willing to overlook a conversation, but any show of affection was going to raise some red flags. “I missed you at lunch.”

Ari nodded slowly, staring blankly ahead toward the nurse’s station.

Something like panic sparked in my chest, but I quickly snuffed it out, refusing to read too much into the fact that she wasn’t smiling. She was probably pissed I’d broken the rules, and rightfully so, but I had news that couldn’t wait.

I’d smooth things over—maybe give her the bad news first and then move into the good stuff. She’d make an exception once she saw that I was bending the rules for a reason.

Probably.

“She didn’t feel up to eating,” Tiffani chimed in helpfully. “I think physical therapy just wore her out this morning, and she needed to rest.”

“Late night?” I teased, hoping for a blush or wink—something that indicated I wasn’t the only one hung up on our kiss.

Because it had been one hell of a kiss.

Her eyes remained flat as if she was going out of her way to avoid reacting to me. But that was ridiculous. Maybe, like me, she’d just struggled to fall asleep.

“I, uh, I don’t have anything going on, so I thought I might go with you to class. It’s speech, right?” When she nodded, I whispered, “Maybe after, we’ll get you some coffee. I’ve got some news.”

Ari nodded again. I brushed a few stray hairs off her face, noting the ashen tone of her skin. “Are you feeling okay?”

This time, there was no response, which didn’t exactly bolster my confidence. Either Ari was agitated that I hadn’t held up my end of our agreement, or she was regretting last night.

Dammit, I’d known it was too soon.

It was her first kiss—it was supposed to be special. The puppies were a nice touch, but if I’d known it was going to happen, I could have come prepared with candles and flowers.

Girls liked that romantic movie shit.

“Don’t take it personally,” Tiffani said. “She’s been a little quieter than normal. Usually, she’ll write or mouth words, but today I’ve gotten nothing out of her. I mean, it’s to be expected with as much as she’s doing. Sometimes, the brain just gets overstimulated. Ari, you want Killian to go to class with you, right?”

Yeah, her brain had just been overworked—by the Neanderthal standing beside her.

Ari blinked in response, her green eyes dull and unfocused. So, it wasn’t a ringing endorsement, but as she hadn’t asked me to leave, I’d take what I could get.

Last night had been a little too much for her. As much as I wanted to make it better, I had to let her take the lead on this. And me—well, I’d wait patiently nearby, giving her the space to work through it.

That was me, a pillar of strength in my girl’s time of need.

Having made my decision, I let the two of them take the lead and followed a few paces behind. It wasn’t how I’d pictured spending my last day here, but I’d waited years for a girl like Ari. I could wait a little longer, give her time to see how good we could be together.

And if all else failed, I’d track down those therapy puppies.

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