she lets out a shriek and yanks away from me.
“Mila,” I say so she’ll look at me. Her eyes are wild as they fly to me, and the instant she sees me, she rushes forward into my arms. She grips me like I’m her only lifeline, and it fucking breaks my heart.
“You’re safe. I’ve got you,” I whisper, hoping the words will calm her a little.
My eyes snap to the students nearby, and they scatter away.
Then Mila tilts her head back, and the look on her face is wild with panic as she begs, “I want to go back to the suite.”
I get her out of the building and back to our suite as fast as possible before I turn to her. Framing her face, I lift it so she’ll look at me. “What happened?”
Mila shakes her head and pulling free, she pushes by me and walks to her room.
I follow her inside and shut the door behind us, then place her bag down. She stands with her back to me, her arms gripped around her waist.
I move around her and tilt my head to catch her eyes, but she keeps them trained on the floor. Her face is pale, and it only increases my worry.
“Tell me what happened,” I say softly.
She lets out a breath of air and shakes her head. “Nothing.”
“That wasn’t nothing back there, Mila. Did Summer or Rachel do something to upset you? I saw them go in.”
Her shoulders slump, and she finally brings her eyes to mine. “I just panicked. It’s really nothing.” There’s a lost look on her face as she adds, “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you.”
Inching closer, I wrap my arms around her, and I wait until she gives in and moves her own arms around my waist, then I whisper, “You didn’t embarrass me at all, Mila. Remember what we agreed? It’s you and me together in this thing. Stop trying to push me away and tell me what made you panic.”
Mila presses her face into my chest and mumbles, “I just had a fright when I walked into Nate. Don’t worry about it.”
My gut tells me she’s keeping something from me, but not wanting to push her, I change the subject, “You’ve only had the bagel today. Want me to order something?”
Mila pulls away and nods. “Yeah, please.”
“Anything specific?” My eyes keep drifting over her face, and I’m relieved when I see some color returning to her skin.
She walks to her closet, saying, “Anything will do. I’m just going to shower, then work on my assignments.”
“Okay.” Thinking she’ll come to my room when she’s done, I leave to go shower myself. I need to wash this day off of me.
While I grab clean clothes, I quickly call the restaurant and order us each a filet with roasted vegetables.
I walk into the bathroom and open the water before I strip out of my clothes. Stepping under the warm spray, I rest my hands against the tiles and take a moment to just collect myself.
Seeing Mila have a panic attack was brutal, especially when she yanked away from me.
God, this woman has become my entire life in one week.
I now understand what my grandfather tried to tell me.
I’d do anything for Mila. I’d fucking burn this place down if it would help her heal any faster.
Chapter 21
MILA
Sitting on the floor of the shower, the water spills over me as my mind keeps going back to Summer and Rachel’s conversation.
Is that what everyone thinks? That I’m faking this just to get Jase’s attention?
Pressure builds in my chest, and I wish I could scream.
But instead, I gather myself off the floor and wash my body. I still can’t bear to look at myself and keep my eyes trained on the tiles.
I rinse the suds from my skin and shut off the water before drying myself.
A knock has my eyes wildly flying in the direction of the door, and then Jase calls, “Mila, are you okay in there?”
I clear my throat as I rush to put on my clothes. “Yeah, I’ll be out in a minute.”
I almost forget to pull off the shower cap and just throw it in the basin. Opening the door, I don’t look at Jase as he moves aside so I can pass by him.
I walk to the dresser and pick up my brush. I keep my eyes on the bottles scattered over the table while I comb my hair.
“Jase,” Fallon calls. “Grandpa and Grandma’s here.”
“Shit,” Jase curses, and instead of