A tremor went through her hands. “What do you mean? Why would you?” Her voice shook.
“You’ve never found that type of entertainment enjoyable, and from your letters, I didn’t get the impression you changed your mind about that. For the past years, you did nothing but study hard. You never mentioned nightclubs.”
“I just wanted to enjoy myself for a night.” She knit her eyebrows. Her tone was defensive but lacked confidence at the same time.
“I understand, but…” He rubbed his temple as a mild headache started to throb. “What I mean is that I’m surprised, and you will excuse me if I don’t consider the people who were with you as your friends. Friends don’t put their friends in danger or humiliate them.”
She blushed up to the roots of her hair. “Daphne is wild, but I don’t think she consciously wanted to hurt me. We’ve been to many parties together, and nothing like that has ever happened.”
“Many parties. So a night like tonight is a regular occurrence.”
“You’ve been away for years,” she said, staring into her cup. “Not that it’s your fault, but things have changed. I’ve changed.”
The aftermath of the seizure soured his mood, making him grumpier than usual. Also, he wasn’t used anymore to dealing with people aside from Oliver and other medics.
He tossed the towel on the sofa. “So I’ve seen. The Edith I know, the Edith who wrote me letters for years would never, ever put herself in danger with people who don’t give a toss about her before abandoning her.”
“You were there, too.” Emotion flamed red in her cheeks.
“Yes, but I wasn’t about to drown, was I?”
She didn’t answer, but another shiver shook her.
“I’m worried about you. Anything could have happened to you with those people you call friends. Anyone could have taken advantage of you while you were frozen in shock.” He sat next to her. “What would have happened to you if I hadn’t pulled you out of the pool?”
“You’re right, really. What I did was reckless.” She pressed a finger between her eyebrows. “I’m very grateful for your help, but the situation isn’t as dramatic as you picture it.”
“Which part of risking to drown isn’t dramatic?”
She put her cup down. “I’m so sorry.”
“What for?”
She turned towards him, her eyes shining and her lips parting.
He couldn’t understand if she was about to burst out crying or to slap him.
“What troubles you?” he asked.
“You don’t know everything about me,” she whispered.
He inched closer, so close he could see the golden specks in her irises. “Then tell me everything.”
She drew in a deep breath, and he smelled the scent of his clothes from her.
“Perry…” His name sounded like a plea. “I don’t…” She swallowed hard a few times. “You wouldn’t be so kind to me if you knew everything about me.”
“I would,” he said without hesitation. “What does knowing everything have to do with taking you to my home in the middle of the night when you need help?”
She chose silence, but the fact she kept shivering worried him.
“Are you worried about me judging you?” he said when she didn’t talk.
She nodded without looking at him.
“We’re friends.” He rubbed an aching spot on his forehead. “I’m not going to judge you just because you attend a few wild parties. I’m surprised, yes. Also, I’m concerned about what might happen to you, especially when you panic and freeze, and I don’t understand why you never mentioned Daphne or rowdy parties in your letters. That’s all.”
She drew in a deep breath and paused before speaking. “I…I should go home.”
