a's

Prescott," Olivia stammered

him and me, confusion wr

xpecting Nicholas would be

handle, my fingers still

tly pushed the door open, his a

too much to drink," he explained to Olivia, his voice calm and profe

essed the unexpecte

aid finally, extending her arm to help m

ached into the backseat and

g the bag to Olivia. "And there's some ginger tea and electro

ling across my face. I tried to stand straighter, but

ing my weight against her side. "C

uilding entrance, I heard the qu

vator, "that was Daniel Prescott? The cold, heart

sed. "Not exactly matching

on on remaining upright as the small space seemed to sway a

my eyes briefly to comba

swallowed hard, fighting the wave of nausea t

that I was in no condition to provide. I stared at the ceiling, counting

ted. "You're no

ng slightly at the edges. "Can't...

ed, and I jolted

herent answers from me tonight, and tightened her su

d every cell in my body. I collapsed onto my bed fully

mment as she placed a glass of water on my nightstand.

eady pulling me under, the events of the

ed with bruta

ur half-closed blinds, land

reeted by a throbbing headache that see

d from her desk, where she w

ike sandpaper. I reached for the water g

n shining BMW left for you," she said, gesturing toward the

gments: Nicholas kissing Megan at the party, my escape to The

from embarrassment rather

as's gorgeous older brother was delivering you home like a package last night? And why we

ith horror that I'd slept in

ic happened," I said

iel was there with some colleagues, saw what was happening, and stepped in. He told the g

outside, so he gave me his jacket.

ght in shining armor?" Olivia pressed, clearl

t," I insisted. "Anyone

d, making air quotes. "Seriously, Em, he seems way more

eeded babysitting," I interrupted, reaching for the

t it's worth, I think you got the wrong Prescott brother. That man radiates rel

to deny the tru

n better at readin

e at my admission. She set her lapto

nking alone at The Crimson Lounge? I've been trying to get you to come out for dri

ea, watching the liquid swirl as

and distant, like a wound I wasn't re

. The words stuck in my throa

" Olivia pressed, her expression so

oment, I took

heating on me,

my words, her eyes went wide, and she spraye

ues to mop up the mess. "That absolute idiot! He ha