Page 57 of Sweet Thing

“Just a couple of slaps. A busted lip. He didn’t even get anything.” She pulled back to look at me. “Could have been worse.”

Sounded like enough, but I understood what she meant. It could have been so much worse. Anger ripped through me, and I banked it with effort. Adeline’s comfort was all that mattered in this moment.

“You were alone?”

She nodded. “Walking home from a bar to my hostel. I’d left Rosie behind—it wasn’t her fault. She came along a few minutes later and scared the guy off. He wanted my purse and Lars, I-I froze. I couldn’t believe it was happening and when I should have been giving him what he wanted, I lay on the ground like a fool. Taking his punishment.”

“This isnotyour fault. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time and if I could get my hands on this fucker, he would know exactly whose fault it was.” I continued to rub close circles over her back. “Your dad never mentioned it.”

Silence.

“You didn’t tell him? Or anyone?”

“They’d only worry.”

“Well, of course they would. But that doesn’t mean you get to keep it to yourself.”

She stared at me with wet eyes. “I made the call. I don’t think it was wrong.”

Now wasn’t the time to argue with her, but God, I wanted to.

“Your parents adore you, y’know that?”

“I know. But I’m also the one they feel a bit sorry for. Silly Adeline, bumbling away with no plans. I really don’t want to contribute to that narrative.”

I understood wanting to counteract your family’s expectations, but other than Kershaw feeling extra protective of Adeline because she was his daughter, I didn’t understand her concern. She was young, not yet sure of herself. No one would critique her choices.

My hand was still on her back, where I realized now that it was touching her skin, bare and hot, and I really should leave before I made a fool of myself.

“You okay now?”

“I will be.” Then quieter, “Could you stay a while, until I fall asleep?”

Damn. “Sure.”

She lay back down, then pulled the duvet back.

I stared at the spot beside her like it was a pool of lava.

“Lars, you’ll freeze. I promise I won’t jump you.”

I gave a nervous chuckle. She wasn’t the problem. On a steeling breath, I turned off the light and twisted my body to lie down beside her.

She faced me, her eyes shining in the darkness.

“You want to talk about what happened? It might help.”

She paused a moment, then said, “Rosie’s a bright star.”

I wasn’t sure how that was relevant, but I remained silent, letting her marshal her thoughts.

“When we were traveling, she attracted tons of attention. Rightly so, she’s always the life of the party.”

“But you felt a little dimmed by comparison?”

“Yes. I can’t believe I’m saying that. When we traveled, there were always guys buzzing around and I was usually the third wheel or forced to make small talk with some guy’s best friend. I got that a lot in college—people interested in me because of my father or brother—and now it was happening on my travels. I love her, but sometimes I’m envious of how easily she makes friends. Has guys crawling all over her.”

I stroked her cheek. The idea of guys crawling all over Adeline did not sit well, but I also hated that she had self-esteem issues that left her thinking she wasn’t worthy of having guys crawling all over her.

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