Page 21 of Unfaithful

"Why? Does it bother you that I just want to hug you?"

She looked away again, sniffing. "Yeah."

"You need me to hug you," I said.

She turned back to glare at me. I grinned. "Or you could ask Hector to hug you."

Frowning, she asked, "Hector?"

"The driver," I said casually.

She blinked, her eyes questioning when I had even learned the driver's name. Then, her gaze drifted to the ID attached to the dashboard. Her face relaxed as realization dawned on her.

"The point is," I said, my tone softening, "you need a hug from someone."

She stayed silent.

"If you need one, I'm here."

She still ignored me.

"Sara..."

She closed her eyes and sank deeper into her seat.

I sighed. Okay. She didn't want to talk.

But for Hector's sake, I had to ask. "Where do you want to go now?"

She shook her head.

"Hector's about two miles away from needing a cast if he keeps driving any longer."

Hector shot a very convincing, pitiful glance through the rearview mirror.

"I don't want to go home," she finally spoke. "Cole might be there. I'm not ready to face him yet."

"You can come to my place," I offered.

She gave me a suspicious glare.

"I'm staying with my parents for now," I quickly clarified. "Temporarily. I just landed yesterday, so I haven't had time to find a place yet. And we have a guest room. You can spend the night there."

"Are you staying for good?" she asked.

"Depends," I answered simply. I wanted to say I'd stay as long as she needed me, but that might scare her. So instead, I just said, "Come on, Peaches. Let's go to my house. Mom's an excellent hugger, and she likes you a lot."

Sara was quiet for a long moment before she gave a small nod. "Okay."

My brows lifted, half wondering if I'd heard her correctly. "Okay?"

She nodded. "Let's go to your house."

I rattled off my address to Hector, and I could've sworn Hector was barely holding back a squeal of relief.

My phone buzzed, and I glanced down at it until it stopped—only for it to start again. It had been vibrating non-stop the entire drive, but I didn't bother picking it up.

Cole's name flashed on the screen.

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