Anger played out across his face and he stood up, stopping just inches from me. “It’s not funny, Nina. You were in serious danger. Ryan should have diffused the situation instead of escalating it. He watches too much television. It’s the ones that try to impress the girl who end up.…”
“He didn’t do that to impress me!”
“His feelings for you clouded his judgment. He tried to be a hero….and here you are, feeling guilty.”
“You’re jealous?” I said, incredulous.
Jared’s rigid posture in the car replayed in my head. I was too worried to think about it at the time, but it made sense. He had mistaken my actions for intimacy. He thought Ryan and I were more than friends.
Jared rolled his eyes. “If I were jealous, it wouldn’t be for that. I’m used to seeing you with someone else. It’s just a matter of enduring it, now.”
My eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What do you mean you’re used to it?”
Jared didn’t answer right away. He heaved an exasperated sigh and his jaws tensed.
“I just meant from before. I’ve had to see you with him before.”
“With Ryan?”
“Yes. At the pub, remember?” Jared eyes wandered everywhere but into mine.
“I remember,” I said, still unconvinced.
He took my hand and worry shadowed his face. “I’m glad you’re okay. For a moment I thought I wouldn’t get there in time.”
“Was your judgment clouded?” I said acerbically, still incensed that he had snubbed Ryan’s bravery.
“Something like that,” he glowered, looking away from me.
“You’re not going to tell me the truth, are you?” I pulled my hand from his and crossed my arms.
Jared’s head snapped back, and his eyes glared into mine. “And what truth would that be?”
“You know what I’m talking about. You took down four men — on your own — like they were little girls. The incomparable sense of timing you seem to have, the knowing where I am all the time….”
“I don’t know where you are all the time…and my sense of timing tonight was almost nonexistent.”
“Are you going to be honest with me or not?” I stood there for a moment, and when Jared seemed to deliberate, I walked back to the couch.
Jared sighed in resignation and then sat beside me. “I wanted to kiss you the other night. I knew that you were upset. I wanted to comfort you and I ended up just hurting you more.” He winced. “That wasn’t my intention, Nina. I would’ve given anything to lean into that kiss. It’s just…complicated.”
“You knew that I was upset?”
He looked down and sighed.
“Jared?” He looked up at me. “What do you want from me?” I asked, exasperated.
He didn’t look up. “I want you to be safe. I want you to be happy. I’m figuring out the rest.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
His head snapped up. “Okay?” he said, searching my eyes.
“Okay,” I shrugged.
Jared’s face was just a short distance from mine, so close that I could feel his warm breath gently blowing against my cheek. He stared at my lips, but I didn’t dare move for fear he would pull back and I would have to suffer humiliation all over again. I took in a breath and he looked into my eyes. He leaned closer to me an infinitesimal amount, and his phone buzzed. We both heaved out a sigh and he leaned back to retrieve his phone.
“Ryel,” he snapped. I heard a quick chattering on the line, and then he clicked his phone closed, shaking his head. “I have to go.”
“It’s okay,” I smiled.
He kissed my forehead, and the warmth of his lips blazed into my skin.
“See you around,” he said, walking to the doorway.
“Jared?” I blurted out, scrambling to my feet. He turned to face me and I smiled. “Thank you. Thank you so much. For everything.”
Jared’s eyes grew soft and he took a few steps toward me. The warmth of his hands sunk into my shoulders, and his jaw tensed as a flood of emotion scrolled across his face. His eyebrows pulled in before he gingerly pulled me to him and pressed his soft lips against mine. He ran his hands up my neck to my face where he held my cheeks in each of his hands. My surroundings vanished; the only thing I could focus on was the breathtaking heat against my mouth. An entire lifetime could have passed and still the kiss ended too soon. He pulled me tighter to his chest and then wheeled around, disappearing down the hall.
I walked a few paces backwards and fell against the seat. The gravity of the situation pressed down on me with renewed strength. The danger, my fear, and the confusion about what I’d seen — what Jared was capable of — were swimming around in my mind. I should have been insane with anxiety but I felt the same sense of calm I’d felt on the side of the road the night before last. Ryan was going to be all right, my hand was still firmly attached to my wrist, and Jack’s gift was safely around my finger.
I felt a twinge of shame as I realized none of those things were the reason for my frame of mind. My lips still tingled from the warmth of Jared’s kiss.
I melted into the sofa, turning my head to press my cheek against the cushion for support. I was so fatigued it felt like work just to breathe.
My heavy eyes rose to the wall of windows along the waiting room. Cynthia’s heels were quickly clicking down the hall.
Chapter Five
Disclosure
“Nina! For the love of Christ, why didn’t you call me?”
“I’m fine, Mom. I wasn’t hurt,” I said, swaying as she tugged and pulled on me to look me over.
She clutched me into her arms tightly. “Nina Elizabeth Grey, if anything had happened to you, I swear to God… I swear to God, I would have never forgiven him.”
“I’m pretty sure those men wouldn’t have cared if you forgave them or not, Mom.”
She gave me a wry look and hugged me again. “Well, it doesn’t matter now. You’re safe, that is what’s important.”
“Did Beth call you?” I asked, trying to keep my eyes open.
“What do you mean did Beth call me?” Her voice raised an octave. “I’m not allowed to see for myself that my only child is safe after she is…is attacked in the street by some junkie? Nina, you infuriate me sometimes! What were you doing at a bar, anyway? On that side of town, no less, you could have been killed! And you have the audacity to ask—”
“Okay, Mom! Okay! I’m sorry!” I pulled her to me. She was very near hysterics. Usually my mother didn’t go to such extremes, but she had enough to agonize over without me being assaulted in dark alleys.
Cynthia pulled away and held me at arm’s length. “Well, that’s enough of that,” she sighed, her typical poker face back into play. “Come, Dear. I’ll send someone for your car.”
I shook my head. “I’m going to stay here and wait for Ryan to wake up.”
“But you’re exhausted,” she argued in vain. We both knew I wouldn’t change my mind.
Cynthia patted my knee and stood. “I expect you to be in your bed resting in four hours. No excuses, young lady.”
I nodded as she clicked down the hallway. I rubbed my eyes and leaned back against my seat. The television was on a medical channel, something about insurance and prescriptions. It didn’t take me long to lose interest.
Three hours later, the ICU nurse stood at my side. “Nina?”
“Yes?” I sat up and blinked my eyes.
“My name is Jenny. I’m Ryan’s nurse,” she smiled. “He’s awake. He’s asking for you.”
I stood up and walked with her to the double doors. Before we made it through, a disheveled woman scampered down the hall toward us. She wore a brown waitress’ uniform and her frizzy black hair failed miserably
