47. Haven

“HayHay,” Wick whispered, his voice broken and full of pain and misery. He started to stand, but I held up a hand.

“No, don’t get up. I think… I think I’ll just come down there with you.” And I sank to my knees right where I’d been standing in the doorway. Bingley wiggled in my arms. I let her down, and once she hit the floor, she bounded over to Wick, who picked her up and cuddled her gratefully.

Gripping the tops of my thighs, I rocked back and forth and I watched the kitten comfort the man.

“So,” I started, swallowing hard before glancing around the room and settling my gaze back on him. “You liked me three years ago? When we were freshmen?”

“I…” Pain slashed across his features before he gulped and nodded. “I shared a class with you. The first time I saw you across the room, I thought you were pretty. So I told some of my friends on the team about it.”

From the expression on his face, I knew he was downplaying it. Big-time.

“Why?” I croaked, wiping wetness from my cheeks. “Wh