Page 53 of Only Fate

“You good?” He rests his hand on my thigh.

I nod and don’t push him away.

We don’t say another word as he drives.

“This is your house?” Adrian asks when we arrive at the gate.

You wouldn’t think a Tuscan-inspired-slash-modern home would be aesthetically pleasing, but my parents somehow did that. They took each other’s styles and made them work together. There are stone walls that match the walkway as it leads up to the front door and more windows than I can count.

It’s on the outskirts of town, sitting on fifteen acres, and the landscaping is made up of bright colors and century-old trees.

“Technically, it’s my parents’,” I say.

“I never took you as someone who would still live at home.”

“River and I each have a cottage in the back.” I open the door and peer at Adrian over my shoulder.

Adrian steps out of the car. Since I’m moving at a snail’s pace, he’s at my door and ready to help me before I even stand.My body hurts, and I’m lightheaded, so I don’t pull away when he helps me toward the walkway that leads to the pool.

I wave at the pool cleaner while unlocking the door, and Adrian follows me inside. I’m still in his hold as I turn to face him, slipping him a guarded look. No matter how much Adrian has helped, there will always be a sense of distrust with him now.

But I do appreciate him driving me home.

“Thank you,” I whisper again.

He cups my face in his palm. “You never have to thank me for helping you.”

This right here reminds me of our first night in his dorm room.

I search for words so I don’t get lost in his eyes. “I need to brush my teeth.Like bad.”

“You go do that.” He chuckles and slowly releases me.

I go into the bathroom, shut the door, and brush my teeth four times. The taste of mint lingers in my mouth when I step out.

I stop when I find Adrian in the kitchen, grabbing a cup from the cabinet. “What are you doing?”

“Helping you.” He smiles and fills the cup with water.

“What if I’m contagious?” I sit down on the couch.

“Then, you’ll have to come over and take care of me, huh?” He hands me the water, then grabs a throw blanket and drapes it over me.

“Seriously? This is so unnecessary. I can take care of myself.” I take a sip of water.

“It sure looked like you needed help.”

“I’ll call a friend, my parents, River.”

“Your place is very you.” He sits down on a chair and looks around. “I like it.”

I yawn, which I learniscontagious since his starts right as mine ends.

He sticks a pillow under his arm and makes himself comfortable. “I’d also like to add that since I’ve already been exposed toyour sickness, it’s better if you’re only around me. Don’t want to get anyone else sick, do we?”

“It’s a stomach bug.”

“You have a law degree. Not a medical one.”

---