“Eliza, you finally opened the door! Why did it take so long? Do you know how long I’ve been knocking?
“What happened? Are you hurt? I heard a cup crash and thought you passed out…” His voice wavered, eyes glistening, as if he might cry.
His barrage of questions only made my head spin. I pushed him back a couple of steps and covered my mouth.
“What are you doing here? I told you not to look for me. I’m not your possession! Can’t I take a sick day in peace?”
“I came to take care of you. I couldn’t just leave you home alone,” Julian said, pointing to the pile of food at the door, sounding almost pitiful as he stepped closer…
“Stay right there!”
I yelled in surprise, coughing hard from the effort.
“Eliza, don’t talk – just drink some water,” Julian said, darting to the dining table to pour me a glass.
“Julian, I told you not to come near me! Can’t you understand simple words?” My cough only aggravated my sore throat, making my tone more irritable.
“You need to drink water right now. We can talk later.” He paused, tightening his grip on the glass, then stubbornly took a step closer.
Why couldn’t he just take a hint?
He had his dream girl already. Did he think I was a consolation prize because I hadn’t been bothering him lately?
What a jerk. Why come to me when he could be with her? Was it true that what you couldn’t have was always more desirable?
“I don’t want any! Get out! I don’t need your care! This is my home! Even if you’re my landlord and boss, you have no right to be here!”
I rasped out the words, feeling like my throat was about to give up on me.
“No right? Then who does? Your underclassman, Wyatt? Or your upperclassman, Evan?” Julian’s eyes were red with frustration, veins popping in his hands.
What did they have to do with anything? I was sick and just wanted to rest at home!
Seeing me with my hand over my mouth, pale and weak, he was furious. How could I say such hurtful things while looking so vulnerable? It made him want to shut me up.
And he did just that…
Julian took a big gulp of water and stepped right up to me. He pulled my hand away from my mouth, grasped my chin, and suddenly his handsome face loomed large in front of me.
I widened my eyes, noticing his long lashes quiver, and I could see my stunned face reflected in his pupils.
The soft sensation on my lips hit me with a shocking realization.
Julian… actually kissed me!