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I rub my wrist gently. It hurts a bit from struggling so hard to free myself from Nick’s grip.
Kai notices and strokes his hand gently up and down my back. “Are you sure you’re ok? You’re shaking like crazy.”
“I’m ok,” I whisper.
It’s true, I’m ok, physically at least.
“Why were you even here in my building?” I ask.
“You left your script with all your new notes. I know you always like to study at night. I figured I’d bring it to you. Glad I remembered your floor number.” Kai stands up and crosses the room, grabbing a throw blanket from the sofa and handing it to me. “You look like you’re freezing.”
I nod, realizing I am shivering. I stand and take the blanket, wrapping it around my shoulders as I cross the room and sink down onto the sofa. “What is it about me that somehow attracts the worst type of men?”
He sighs, following to sit down next to me. “You do really well seeing the good in people. So you’re quick to give everyone a chance, even the worst ones.”
I pull the blanket around me tighter, frowning. “Well, it certainly isn’t doing me any favors.”
“You’re very easy to like,” he adds.
I scoff. “Yeah, ok.”
“But none of this was your fault,” he continues. “You know that, right?” He looks at me closely.
I wipe another tear with my tissue. “Yeah, I know.”
“He’s a fucking bastard and he needs to be put in his place.” Kai scowls.
I sigh.
He stands again, pulls my script from his bag, and lays it on the counter. “Do you need anything? Water?”
I shake my head.
“Well, if you’re ok… I don’t want to bother you. Um…you should make sure you lock the door after I leave.”
My head shoots up and I look from the door, to Kai, and then back again. The thought of being alone with Nick still out there tonight is more terrifying than anything else.
“Oh, um…” I clear my throat, feeling myself shiver harder. Leah is out of town, and I don’t want to be alone. “Can you…” I can barely say it. “Can you stay a little longer?”
He gazes at me for a moment, scratches his head, and then nods with a tight smile. “Yeah, of course I can.” He sits back down on the sofa next to me and places his hands awkwardly on his legs like he doesn’t know what to do with them.
I tug the blanket tighter around me, feeling the shivers start to recede. “I’m sorry I got so mad at you earlier.”
“It’s ok,” he replies, looking straight ahead.
“It’s really not.” I frown, watching his profile. “I really am sorry.”
He turns to me, and his gentle eyes meet mine. He tries to hide the pain there, but I see it. I offended him when he was genuinely trying to help me. In retrospect, I feel horrible.
“Sophie,” he sighs. “I can understand if you want me to leave you alone, but I won’t stand by and watch someone take advantage of you.”
I swallow the new knot that’s forming in my throat. “I’m glad you didn’t.”
He closes his eyes and turns away.
I twist a corner of the blanket in my hands. “I’m also sorry about everything else.”
“What’s that?” he asks slowly.
