Page 178 of Wish You Were Mine
“Mom. Dad.” My voice came out small and shaky, like it belonged to someone younger.
They both looked up immediately.
“What’s wrong?” Dad rose to his feet, his gaze locking onOwen like he assumed Owen was responsible for my distressed appearance.
“This isn’t what you think,” I said before we could have a repeat of the last time we were all in the same room together. “Owen drove me home from The Garden. He was just making sure I got home safe after a hockey player tried to—” My throat closed around the words, but I forced them out. “—tried to assault me in the parking lot.”
Mom’s book slipped from her lap. Dad’s expression shifted in an instant, all that heat redirecting away from Owen and into something colder, harder—dangerous.
“Who?” he asked, voice clipped.
“His name is Brody,” I whispered.
Dad’s jaw clenched like he knew exactly who I was talking about. “Did he hurt you?”
“No. Owen got there just in time.” My voice wavered. “But…apparently, he’s been stalking me.”
A wave of insecurity slid over me as I realized the security blanket I’d thought I had—my sense of who I could trust—was gone.
I’d thought Brody was my friend. But after this betrayal, I wasn’t sure how many other smiling people in my life were hiding something I couldn’t see.
“Come here, sweetheart.” Mom crossed the room, wrapping me up in her arms, her familiar perfume grounding me. “You’re safe now.”
Dad’s expression shifted from barely restrained fury as he stepped in and pulled us both close.
“We’ll make it so he can’t hurt you again,” he said, each word clipped like he was already running down a list of exactly how to make that happen.
When we finally stepped back, my gaze went toOwen, who still stood by the door, his shoulders squared in a way that said he wasn’t leaving until he knew I was really okay.
“Thank you for bringing her home.” Dad turned toward him, his protective energy redirecting like a spotlight. “I know you probably have classes early in the morning, so we’ll take it from here.”
“If it’s all right,” Owen said, his eyes flicking to mine before returning to Dad, “I’d like to hear about your plans for keeping Lucy safe. I know you have your opinions about me and my intentions with your daughter, but I want her safe just as much as you do.”
For a beat, Dad just looked at him, like he was deciding whether to bristle at the intrusion or recognize the fact that whether he liked it or not, he wasn’t the only protective man in my life now.
“Okay,” he said with a sigh, something in his stance easing. “Have a seat.”
58
OWEN
I was halfwaythrough grading last week’s labs when a knock sounded on my open office door.
My head lifted, and the air in my lungs stilled when I saw none other than President Archibald standing there.
I’d been half-expecting he’d stop by at some point today after showing up at his house with Lucy last night. But still, my pulse picked up.
Was he here to thank me again? Or had he stopped by to remind me that, despite what happened with Brody, nothing had changed about his opinion of me?
“Do you have a minute?” he asked.
“Of course.” I cleared my throat, keeping my voice even as I gestured to the chair across from my desk. “Have a seat.”
He stepped inside, closing the door quietly behind him.
He sat, posture as controlled as always, but there was something different in his eyes when he looked at me today. Less steel. More kindness.
“I wanted to speak with you because…” He paused, letting out a breath that felt almost…regretful? “I owe you a big apology.”
