Kid?Seriously?
“I will,” I reply, though even I don’t sound convinced. I turn to leave, but his voice stops me.
“You should be thanking Kai too.”
His words make me freeze. I turn back, confusion knotting my thoughts.
Kai Steele?
I stare at Liam, waiting for the smirk, the part where he says he meant adifferentKai.
“Kai?” I repeat, slower. “As in…Kai Steele?”
Liam raises an eyebrow. “You know another one?”
“I mean—no, but…” My voice trails off. “He wasn’t the one who brought me to the medical wing.”
“He asked me to take you,” Liam says, and I don’t miss the finality in his voice.
Liam must see the confusion written all over my face, because he gives me a lazy smile, tilting his head slightly. “You were unconscious on the floor. What did you expect us to do, step over you?”
I open my mouth, then shut it again.
Because, actually, yeah. Something like that.
“Yes, but —” I start, voice catching somewhere between confusion and disbelief.
“But nothing,” he says gently, not unkind. “Any decent person would’ve done the same.”
My lips press together, but I don’t respond.
Because I don’t know how to.
Instead, I just stare at him, trying to make it make sense, and he just smiles. Smiles like he hasn’t just rearranged something in my chest.
He says it like he’snotthe reason I didn’t wake up to a dozen phones in my face.
I open my mouth to say something else, but I don’t even know what the next question is. Liam just flashes me another grin, one that has probably got him out of real trouble before and starts backing away.
“Don’t overthink it,” he says with a wink. “I’ll be seeing you.”
And just like that, he’s gone.
Leaving me with about five new questions, two shaky legs, and one name stuck under my skin like a splinter.
Kai Steele.
***
The café is bustling when I burst through the doors, slightly out of breath. My eyes scan the room until I spot Rick behind the counter. Relief washes over me as I hurry toward him.
“Rick! I made it exactly on time!” I say, panting. “Can you believe it?”
“That’s impressive, Addie,” he says, grinning.
Heshouldbe proud.
Considering I literally sprinted here again. I manage a sheepish smile at his praise. But before I can catch my breath fully, I spot Camille rushing toward me, her face brimming with excitement.
