Chapter 18

Jessica knew immediately. She came to my side and whispered, “Are you okay?” Her hand came over to my shoulder to comfort me, but I flinched violently.

My shoulders drooped. “I’m sorry. Please just don’t touch me right now. I’m fine.” I very clearly wasn’t fine, but I tried to bristle up and act normal.

Jessica nodded in understanding and helped me pick the produce up off the floor. “I’ll wash these for you,” she offered.

I could feel Rowan’s concerned eyes on my back, and I wanted to duck under the counter and hide. But I couldn’t. I could tell that he wanted to come over and comfort me, but by my reaction to Jessica, he rightfully gave me my space. “What happened?” he asked tentatively.

I was trying so hard to keep it together. Tears were welling behind my eyes, and I blinked them away. My hands were trembling violently. I tried to steady them by gripping my hands into fists. That didn’t work either.

“Just some awful girl,” Jessica differed.