She didn’t respond, and I didn’t say anything else either.

Instead, I let the fear, the intensity of it that had shaken my very core me when I had worried for her, shift to anger.

The anger was on a lower simmer, but was there, nonetheless.

I’d forgotten my earlier promise not to speak and then glanced at her before glancing back at the road.

Then, I said, “You know this is your fucking fault, right? You have that asshole Todd sniffing around you. You thought that shit would go unnoticed?” I said.

“I didn’t realize I was still in an interrogation,” she said blandly.

“Did you hear me ask a fucking question? I’m telling you what this situation is and why you’re in it,” I said.

I expected anger as a response.

All I got was defeat.

“And I’ll tell you, just like I told your father, many, many times, I don’t know who or what Todd is involved with it with, and I don’t care to know. All I care about is making sure this debt is repaid in getting on with my life.”

There was no fire in those words, none of my Kayla in them.

When I looked at her, I saw, really saw, her anguish, and wanted more than anything to take it away.

Her eyes widened, and I started to panic.

“What is it?” I asked, my voice high.

“Pull over,” she said before she gagged.

I maneuvered out of traffic, and Kayla had opened the door before I came to a complete stop. She was snagged on the seatbelt, and once I opened it, she was out of the car. I watched as her body heaved, and I stood beside her feeling completely fucking useless as she vomited.

After three more powerful but unproductive heaves, Kayla stood up.

“Here,” I said, shoving my pocket square into her hands.

She started to shake her head but stopped when I wiped her mouth.

She refused to meet my gaze, and I could feel her shame.

Tried to comfort her.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” I whispered.

The sharp look on her face told me I had said the exact wrong thing. I tried to recover.

“Umm…I…”

Fucking failed at that too.

But at least Kayla smiled.

The saddest smile I’d ever seen from her, but it was something.

“Thanks,” she whispered.

I was smart enough not to stay anything else and instead lead her into the car.

Once we were driving, I headed toward my apartment.

She looked around and then said, “I’d like to go back to the building.”

“No,” I said, not bothering to look at her.

She didn’t argue, so I kept going, and soon, I turned into the garage. I nodded at the security guard as I drove in.