“Badly. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I never was like this back home. I didn’t think I’d ever want to have…” She raised her brows and lowered her voice even more. “Sex. It seemed so awful. But now I can’t think of anything else. Do you know what I mean?”

I fought the urge to look toward the kitchen because I did, in fact, know what she meant.

“But he was nice to you?” I pushed, needing verbal confirmation.

“Of course. He’s always nice. Too nice. I think I’d like it if he wasn’t so nice.”

“You wouldn’t.” I took a drink then gestured around with my sparkling water bottle. “How’d you end up here?”

Her cheeks went a deeper red and her lips tipped down. “I waited until Ace was in the shower, then took one of his bicycles. I used to ride a lot and could go a long distance, but he didn’t know that. He thought I was lost in the heavy woods around his house, and when they found me…” Tears filled her eyes. “He wasn’t even mad. None of them were. They were worried and nice, and I felt so guilty for wasting their time. And Ace, he looked with such pity. I do not want his pity.”

That I also understood. So much.

Knowing what’d happened and that she hadn’t been hurt in the worst way, I was able to focus on the rest of her words. “Wait, this happened this morning? Do you live with Glitch?”

She nodded. “He has a big house with lots of room. I sleep there and then he drops me off at Ria’s for work.”

I had no clue who Ria was. One of the bunnies, I guessed.

“But now I’ve messed everything up.”

“You didn’t,” I said.

“I have no place to stay. His rejection hurt me. It hurt so bad. But it also hurt him. He won’t be comfortable with me at his home. I won’t be comfortable there. And I have nowhere else to go.”

I knew what that was like, too. Needing a fresh start.

“You can stay at Ward’s until things smooth out.” At her pinched brows, I clarified, “Hollywood.”

She rapidly shook her head. “This is the second time he’s had to save me. He pities me, too. I just want to go back to how it was.” Dropping her head into her hands, I thought she was going to cry.

I was prepared for tears.

I was not prepared for the curse words that flew from her mouth in her native tongue. And even though I didn’t speak the language, I had no doubt they were curse words.

Sitting straight, she took a deep breath. I watched as the regret bled away to something even more formidable.

Determination.