Third Chances (Men Of Manhattan #2) - Ivy Smoak Page 0,94
stop meddling in my life, James. We're not kids anymore. I don't need you fixing everything for me. I can take care of myself." I pushed through the doors and was glad that he didn't follow me. Instead of taking the elevator, I ran up the stairs. If I didn't get rid of some of this adrenaline, I was going to lose my mind.
I stopped on her floor and caught my breath before knocking on her door. "Daphne, open up." I hit her door with my fist again.
The door opened slowly and Alina stepped out, closing the door behind her. "She's not here, Rob." She started walking toward the elevator doors.
"Then where is she?" I followed her toward the elevator.
"Maybe you should just give her some space?" She hit the down button. "I feel like she probably wants to be alone right now."
"I think that's for her to decide, don't you?"
Alina shifted uncomfortably. "She's been having a hard time here. I think that she just needs some time."
"We just had a misunderstanding, I'm going to fix it."
"That's not what I'm talking about. I just don't think she's in a good place. I'm going to go after her, so you don't have to worry about it."
"I'm already worried about it."
"She needs me right now. I'll take care of her. I think you should just stay here."
"I want to be the one that she needs."
Alina searched my face. "Rob, despite how it may seem, this isn't about you."
I'm pretty sure it is. "Then what's it about?"
The doors dinged open and she stepped toward the elevator.
"What is it about?" I asked again.
"I let her down. We never should have come here. If Kristen had told me this was her plan, I would have made her change it. But when we got here, Daphne seemed okay. She actually seemed happy with you and I thought we'd all be able to keep her distracted..." she let her voice trail off.
I grabbed Alina's wrist so she couldn't get on the elevator. "Distracted from what?"
Alina looked like she wanted to cry. "Missing him."
I couldn't help it. Jealousy seared through me. Of course a girl like Daphne was involved with someone. But maybe she was missing him because they had broken up. Maybe there was still a chance for me.
"I miss him too," Alina said. "I don't think she realizes how much I miss him. Maybe we should have talked about it more. I just didn't know how. She always looks so upset whenever something reminds her of him. We shouldn't have come here." Alina burst into tears.
Oh, shit. I let go of her wrist, but that just made her cry even harder. The elevator doors closed without either of us getting on. "It's okay," I said and put my arms around her. I lightly patted her back. She pressed her face against my chest, leaving what I hoped were tears and not snot on my skin.
I had no idea what this girl was so upset about. I waited it out, continuing to pat her back until her tears slowed down. "So, who are you two missing? An ex-boyfriend or something?"
Alina pulled back and wiped her eyes with her hands. "She didn't tell you last night? I would have thought she'd tell you with everything that was going on. But she has such a hard time talking about it. We all do."
"Tell me what?"
"About her brother."
"She said she didn't have any siblings."
Alina nodded her head. "I guess she technically doesn't anymore."
My insides twisted in knots. Daphne had been so good with James last night. Was it because she was used to having someone to take care of? Maybe she hadn't been judging me and my brother at all. Maybe she was just worried. Please don't let it have been drugs.
Alina looked down at the floor. "He died of an overdose."
I was such an asshole. She was worried that I'd lose James like she had lost her brother. "Where did she go?" I hit the elevator button.
"I don't know. She said something about not being scared to live. I thought she might be heading back to the zip lining course? She wouldn't do it earlier because she said she was scared. I was going to check there first."
"I'm going to go talk to her."
"Rob, she needs me."
No, she needs me. "I'm more familiar with the walking paths. Just look around the hotel." I stepped onto the elevator and hit the door close button before she could join me.