Page 58 of Because of Dylan

Did he save me? “Technically, I was never in danger because the guy was not in Maslow.”

“Pfft,” she makes a dismissive sound. “He didn’t know that, and neither did you.”

I shift the conversation to her. “What about you? And Skye? Doesn’t she have most of her classes in the Jane Austen building?”

“I was in my class. Everyone is fine. But Skye—God. She was there. And the guy, the shooter? He’s one of her professors’ husband. And Skye was in that professor’s classroom.”

I almost drop my phone. “Jesus! Is she okay? That must have been terrifying.”

“She’s okay. Her boyfriend got her out.”

“He’s a cop, right? Was he one of the officers who went into the building?”

“Yes. That much I know. But I’ve heard nothing yet. I made Skye take a Xanax, and she’s sleeping now.”

“I can’t even imagine what Skye went through.”

“What I can’t imagine is you holed up with Professor Dick—Beckett in his office. Now you have me calling him Dick too.”

“It was n-nothing.” It was not nothing. My voice cracks.

“What are you not telling me, Becca?”

She’ll pester me until I say something. “It was weird.” It was … amazing.

“Weird how?”

“We got to his office, locked the door and sat on the floor. And then …” Jesus. Did that really happen? Or did I imagine it?

“And then what?”

“He hugged me. He put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into him and held me the entire time until we got the message that the lockdown was over.”

“Aww. That’s so sweet! I told you he likes you.”

I snort at that. “He doesn’t like me. He was just—I don’t know, trying to be nice, comfort me. I was freaking out a little.”

“No, not buying it. He didn’t have to hold you.”

“And he sang too. Not with lyrics. He hummed a song while he held me and rubbed his hand on my back. It was … it was calming. I felt safe. Protected.”

“Whoa … he sang? For you?”

“He hummed a song. It was familiar too. But I can’t remember the name.”

“Dude. He likes you. That’s more than just being nice. I told you. I have a sixth sense for these things.”

“Well, you were wrong about Tommy. I never dated him.” I drop an arm over my eyes to block the light.

“You let me believe you were.”

“You assumed, River. I never said I was hooking up with him.” There’s a moment of silence that extends for several seconds.

“Now what?” River asks.

“Now what nothing. There’s nothing. I was freaking out, and he comforted me. End of story.”

“Nooooo. No end. This is the beginning, my friend. I need more.”

---