When my stomach was finally empty, I struggled to my feet. “Get ahold of yourself, Bell.” I made my way to the sink, splashing some water on my face and rinsing out my mouth. Thankfully, we kept mouthwash and little cups under the sink.

I took a deep breath and met my reflection in the mirror. I was paler than usual, dark circles rimming my eyes. There was no spark there like there usually was. I pressed my palm to my chest, where the tattoo and scars peeked out of my t-shirt. “What am I doing?”

I closed my eyes, straining to hear an answer, begging for some sort of reassurance. All I got was silence. I’d have to figure this one out myself. I opened my eyes and let my hands drop to my sides. You have to let yourself fall. I heard the echo of Kara’s words in my mind. Maybe falling meant telling Ford exactly how I felt and why I was terrified. No more second-guessing or twisting his motives in my mind, just lay it all out there. I let out a long breath. I could do that.

My hand shook as I reached for the bathroom door. Pulling it open, I almost stumbled back again.

“What’s the matter, Trouble?”

Ford stood leaning against the opposite wall, and the look of confusion and concern blanketing his expression pricked at the anger simmering just beneath the surface. Did he honestly think it wouldn’t bother me to see Lacey flirting with him? That it wouldn’t kill me to see that he’d let her touch him?

I straightened my spine, my shoulders rolling back. “You looked pretty darn cozy with my good friend Lacey.”

Ford gaped at me. “Are you serious right now?”

Heat flushed my cheeks. “You know how I feel about her.”

Ford ran a hand through his hair, giving it a good tug at the ends. “I was trying to keep Lacey away from you. To distract her from giving you shit. I know you’ve had a rough few weeks, and I didn’t want her adding to it.”

It made sense in theory. Ford’s protectiveness had never been in question. My shoulders slumped. I felt like I was losing my mind. “She touched you.”

“Trouble…” Ford eased forward, brushing the hair back from my face. “I stepped out of that in a split second and told her to mind her own business.”

Maybe he had. I’d seen the exchange for no more than a few breaths. I couldn’t stomach looking at them any longer and had immediately looked away.

Ford sighed, his jaw working. “You are never going to completely trust me, are you? What do I have to do to prove myself?”