Page 123 of Love, Academically
“Rhys—”
“And I’m doing the therapy for me and it’s helping. I feel so much lighter.”
Lila nodded, not meeting his eyes. “I’m glad for you.”
“Lila,” he said softly, “look at me.”
She raised her eyes slowly, until they met his.
“Are you all right? I’m sorry about what my father said. He doesn’t speak for me, he never does.”
She waved her hand dismissively in front of her. “Oh no, I don’t care about what your father said.”
“Then what is it?” he asked. There had to be something because the frown was still across her forehead and the pink blush was flooding her face. She took a breath, then another.
“You love me?”
Was that all? He relaxed and smiled.
“Of course,” he said. “How could I not?”
Lila
Lila was up in the air looking down on herself talking to Rhys. He was so calm and serene, so relaxed, especially after what had just gone down between him and his father, because quite frankly, that had beenbad. But Rhys looked cleaner and freer than she had ever seen him. He was obviously tired, the skin around his eyes betraying him, but he was looking at her with clear, bright eyes.
“Oh,” she said. What else was she supposed to say?
How could I not?
Rhys’s mouth spread into a smile.
“I wasn’t going to tell you now, and definitely not like that. I wanted to give you some more time and I don’t expect you tosay it back. Not at all. I’m just comfortable and happy that you know.”
“Oh,” she repeated. Who was this Rhys, all loosely strung and laid-back?
“Do you want me to walk you to your car? It’s getting dark,” he said.
“Um…” Surprisingly, she did. She really did.
“I don’t have to,” he rushed to say, “it’s just the lighting isn’t great in the car park.”
“Yes.” Lila swallowed. “Yes, okay.”
Rhys nodded and pinched his lips together, probably trying not to grin like the Cheshire Cat while she went to get her stuff. He met her by the lift. Standing in a confined space with Rhys ‘how could I not’ Aubrey with his relaxed (muscular) shoulders, his pert (perfect) little tush and the smell of his bodywash around her, was a little bit like hell.
Hell, because she hadmissedhim.
Even after what he had said and done, she missed his arms around her, the grumpiness of him in the mornings, the put-upon way he took a cookie after pretending not to want one.
Rhys had tried to fix things. Indeed, hehadfixed things with Sue and Jason. He was going to therapy, he had respected her wishes and stayed away until she came to him. He was respecting her wishes now, in this lift, by not pressing his luck because she was a captive audience. Rhys could go on and on and on and beg and plead and explain and justify and lie, if he wanted. But he’d chosen not to, because he respected her.
Lila hugged her bag to her chest and stared at her shoes. She was boiling hot and could feel every strand of fabric against her skin. It was his closeness, his control, justhim.
Do something for yourself for once.
Lila looked at him out of the corner of her eye, but he wasnonchalantly staring at the doors, hands in his pockets. Looking damned smug.
The door pinged open and he gestured for her to go first.
