“I’m fine,” I said quickly, pulling away from his arm and sitting up, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. I shook my head, as if trying to shake off the weight of what he’d said. “I don’t need help with anything. Really.”
Topher’s jaw tightened as he shifted, frustration flashing in his eyes. He sat up, but he didn’t look away. “Why are you pushing me away?”
“I’m not,” I protested, getting to my feet and walking over to the edge of the bed, needing the distance. But we both knew I was lying. He could see right through it.
He stood slowly, his movements deliberate as he closed the gap I’d just created. He rubbed the back of his neck, hesitating a moment before speaking. “Kathleen, I know you asked for distance, time to focus on yourself without distractions, and I want to give you what you want. But I need you to know… I’m waiting for you. No matter how long it takes, when you’re ready, I’m here for you. For us.”
Part of me wanted to fall into him right then and there. Another part—the scared part, the self-protective part—tightened its grip. I wasn’t used to someone being so romantic. Not forme.
Then, in a softer, almost-too-casual tone, he added, “You know, there’s an open house for the social work program at Tulane this afternoon. You should go check it out.”
I blinked, caught off guard by the shift. “This afternoon? Really?”
“Yeah, I’ve got some work to do this morning, but my driver can pick you up and take you there.”
Excitement flickered inside me, but almost immediately, a wave of nerves followed. The idea of going to the Tulane open house made my stomach twist in knots. I hadn’t even finished college. What if I didn’t belong there? What if I was wasting everyone’s time?
“Your driver?” I raised an eyebrow, trying to mask the mix of excitement and anxiety swirling in my chest. “I don’t know… I’ve never even finished college. What if?—”
“Hey.” His voice was gentle but firm, cutting through my doubts before they could spiral. “I’ll go with you.”
I stared at him, the sincerity in his offer catching me completely off guard.He’d come with me?
“You’d do that?” I asked, my voice softer than I intended. “You’d come with me?”
“Of course.” He shrugged like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Why wouldn’t I?”
My mind buzzed with the weight of his offer, the way he’d so easily volunteered, no hesitation. I wasn’t used to someone showing up for me like that. And maybe that’s why the knot in my stomach loosened a little.
“I don’t know… I didn’t expect you to offer,” I admitted, my voice tinged with surprise. Part of me wanted to believe I could handle it on my own, but his offer felt like a lifeline I didn’t realize I needed.
He gave me a small, reassuring smile. “Well, I’m offering.”
As I looked at him, the anxiety didn’t disappear entirely, but it softened, replaced by a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could go back to school and make something of my life.
“Okay, but you do realize this isn’t some fancy gala or board meeting,” I teased, crossing my arms. “You’ll probably be the only billionaire there.”
He laughed, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Lucky for you, I’m adaptable. I can mingle with the commoners if I have to.”
I rolled my eyes. “Commoners, huh? Good luck blending in. Maybe don’t tell anyone about your yacht.”
“I’ll try to keep it under wraps,” he teased, his voice dropping as he closed the distance between us. “But you know, I think they’ll be more impressed by my charming personality.”
“Oh, really?” I raised an eyebrow, trying to keep my tone playful, even as something fluttered in my chest. His closeness was doing things to me that I didn’t want to admit.
My breath caught for a moment. His presence felt electric, and before I could think too much about it, he leaned in and gave me a soft kiss. It was quick, but it sent a rush of excitement through me, leaving me stunned—and wanting more.
As he pulled back, Topher smiled, the look on his face so genuine and happy that it made my heart skip a beat. “I’ll see you this afternoon. Three-thirty, okay? My driver will pick you up.”
Still a little breathless, I nodded, trying to play it cool despite the flutter in my chest. “Three-thirty. Got it.”
He gave me a warm look before disappearing into the bathroom. A few minutes later, he re-emerged fully dressed, adjusting the collar of his shirt and slipping on his watch. “I’m looking forward to this,” he said, pausing by the doorway, his eyes soft and sincere.
My heart swelled with a hopeful warmth. “Me too.”
He shot me one last smile, then headed out, his footsteps fading down the hall. I stood there, holding onto the lingering thrill of his touch, his words, the way he looked at me.
As he smiled and walked out, a flicker of doubt tried to creep in, but I pushed it down, refusing to let it ruin the moment. The excitement still hummed beneath the surface, and I pushed the doubt down, focused on the lingering thrill of his kiss instead.
