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“What happened?” he asked, concern in his voice.
“I…when I was leaving the theatre, I was attacked. I’m fine,” I quickly add. “I promise you, I’m okay. I just wanted you to know.”
“Holy shit, what happened? Never mind, I’m coming over.”
“Nick, wait.” But he’s gone before I can tell him not to come.
I get up and walk over to the door. He’s there when I open it. Part of me is terrified of what Dad will do if he sees him here, and the other part of me is touched that he cares so much. He wraps his arms around me and kisses me.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” He asks. He glances back at his house, and I guess it’s because the kids are in bed. I walk outside so we can sit on the chairs on the porch. I sit down, but he stands, facing me. “What happened?”
“I was walking home. I hadn’t gotten far when someone grabbed me from behind. He covered my mouth so I couldn’t scream and dragged me into the ally,” I say. My heart pounds, retelling the story. I shiver because, in my mind, it’s like it’s happening all over again. “I was so scared. Then out of nowhere, Dad took him down.”
“Your dad was there?” says Nick, sounding surprised.
I nod. “He saw us go into the theatre together, and he waited to make sure I was okay.”
Nick shakes his head, his eyes full of anger. “I’m so sorry,” he mutters. “I never should’ve let you walk home. I shouldn’t have left without you.”
My eyes widen. “No. You’re not doing that. I will not let you blame yourself because some creep who has been watching me for weeks decided to attack me,” I say. “I asked you to leave, Nick. I wanted to walk home. Do you really think I would’ve taken no for an answer?” I raise my eyebrows at him. He laughs and sits next to me, wrapping his arms around me.
“No,” he admits. He frowns suddenly. “Back up, he’s been watching you?”
The front door swings open.
“Anna, are you okay—?” Dad stops when he sees Nick.
I cringe. Here we go again.Chapter SixteenNick“What the fuck were you thinking, leaving her there?” Dan growls.
His hands clench into fists by his side, and he glares at me as I tighten my grip around his daughter’s waist. I frown because I’m beating myself up enough without him hammering it down my throat.
“I left her there at eight-thirty in the evening in a quiet town, Dan,” I say. “It wasn't like it was three in the morning in the middle of the Bronx. She wasn't ready to leave, so I let her stay.”
My heart pounds. I’m seconds away from breaking but doing everything I can to keep it together. Thank fucking God she isn’t hurt.
“Not fucking good enough,” he mutters, his eyes narrowing. “It was your responsibility to get her home safe. You couldn’t even do that right, and you want me to accept this?”
“I’m tearing myself up for leaving her there because I love her, and that’s what you do when someone you love gets hurt,” I snap. I stand up so I’m facing him, my heart pounding because I’m so angry. Gritting my teeth, I force myself to continue. “But you don’t get to make me feel bad when I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Dan mutters something under his breath and storms back inside without another word. I sigh and glance down at my hands. God, I’m shaking. I sit down on the step, defeated because I think now I realize that he’s never going to accept us. Anna rises to her feet and walks over to me, sitting down next to me on the step. She takes my hand and pulls me into her embrace, wrapping her arms around me.
“I should be the one comforting you,” I say in a gruff voice. I glance over and realize she’s smiling at me. I look at her inquisitively.
“You love me?” she says, her eyes shining.
I chuckle and press my lips against hers. “You’ve just figured that out?”
She grins and lifts her mouth to mine, kissing me again.
“Thank you for standing up for us, but there’s not much else we can do until he’s ready to accept that you’re a part of my life.” She shrugs, but I see the sadness in her eyes and know that it hurts her.
“And if he doesn’t?” I ask softly. It’s been weighing on my mind. What if he never accepts us? Because right now, it’s feeling like a possibility.
She thinks for a moment. “I don’t know,” she finally replies. “Can I come over to your place?” she suddenly adds.
I nod. I was hoping she’d want that, but after what she’d been through tonight, I wasn’t going to pressure her. Especially with Dan being home.
