Page 104 of Educating Arrogant Mr. Hunter

A frown marred her perfect face as she dug inside her monstrous purse. I had no idea how she found anything in it.

“I think you could use these.” I held out the tissues to her.

Wren’s head jerked up to stare at me. “Beckett,” she whispered. The raspy sound of her voice gutted me. I’d done this to her. She grabbed the tissue and dabbed at her face. “How is she? Did something happen?” Her breathing sped up.

I sat down next to her and rested my elbows on my knees. I locked them in place to keep my hands from reaching for her. My body groaned in protest that she wasn’t in my arms already. “She’s okay. Marjorie and Glen are with her right now. The doctor wants her to get a CT scan just in case.”

A shuddery breath left her. “Oh thank God. I was so worried.” Her hand reached for mine before she jerked it back. My insides twisted with shame. “Thank you for telling me.”

I stared at her hands, wanting to do something, but not knowing what.

“Marjorie and Glen, huh?” She sent me an approving smile. “I’m happy to see the three of you finding common ground.”

I nodded and glanced at the door leading back to where Zoey was. They were going to want to move her soon. “We’re trying.”

Wren followed my gaze. “I should get going.” She rubbed her hand up and down the leg of her pants and quickly stood. I caught the grunt of pain she let out before she hid it.

Was she hurt? A wave of protectiveness flowed through me.

“I, uh, was about to call an Uber. I don’t think the EMTs do a round-trip service.” She forced out a weak chuckle.

“Wren—” I hated how awkward this was. The gap between us was so wide I wasn’t sure I could fix it, or if she’d even let me.

She self-consciously smoothed down her hair and waved the tissues with the other. “Thank you for these and for the update. I hope Zoey’s okay.”

With each step she took away from me my heart cried out in despair. I needed to do something. “Wren.”

She slowly turned around with a grimace on her lips. “I’m really sorry for what happened, Beckett. I should’ve been paying better attention…” After a pause she lifted her purse, holding it in front of her like a shield. “I should go. I’ve got to go.”

She whirled around, stumbling toward the exit.

I hurried after her and clutched her arm. “Wren, wait. Don’t go.”

Her bleak gaze met mine. “I can’t stay.”

I released her. “Zoey wants you with her when they run the tests.”

She took a step back. “What?”

“It would make her feel better if you were there.” And me too I wanted to yell, but my mouth stubbornly held those words back.

Her eyebrows drew together and she bit her lip. “Doyouthough?” she finally asked.

My voice cracked. “Yes, I do.”

“Why?” She shook her head in distrust. “Can you understand why I’m not sure I believe you?”

My face grew warm. I could absolutely understand why she’d be confused after our last two encounters. “Yes. I screwed up and need to apologize.”

Wren looked away from me. I hated how now she wouldn’t meet my gaze. Even if it was no less than I deserved, it hurt. “It’s fine.” Her eyes scanned the distance from here to the door. She was going to make a run for it if I didn’t act fast.

“It’s not. I shouldn’t have gotten upset with you about Zoey getting hurt.” This was just the tip of the iceberg of all the things I needed to apologize for.

“I said it was fine, Beckett.” Her voice cracked and she looked down at the light blue linoleum floor. “You were worried about her. I get it.” She turned away from me, but before she could take another step, I grabbed both of her hands.

“It’s not,” I responded in just above a whisper. “I know you, Wren, and I know today wasn’t your fault, but that’s not the only thing I’m sorry about.”

Her stricken gaze swung up to meet mine. “Do we need to do this here?”

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