Page 48 of Shy Girls Can't Date Rockstars
“Anyway, it’s two hours of my life I’ll never get back.”
A soft laugh pours out of me, and somehow I'm smiling.
Wow, it’s gone.
The panic is gone.
With one long breath out, I notice the storm outside has moved past us. The thunder is a distant rumble, lacking the flinch-inducing roars.
I slouch in my chair, relieved the knots in my chest are untying. “Thank you.”
Ryder shifts in his seat. “Who? Me?”
“Yes, you.”
“For what?”
“For talking. For distracting me.”
Ryder frowns, straightening his collar, clearly uncomfortable with my gratitude. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Well, it made me feel less crazy. I can actually breathe now.”
“Panic attacks suck. I wouldn’t wish them on anyone.”
“Even someone who destroyed your equipment?”
He’s quiet, studying my face like he’s figuring something out. “Even then,” he says finally. “But this doesn’t mean we’re friends or anything.”
I swallow hard, shifting back in my chair. “I didn’t think it did.”
“Good. Just making sure we’re clear.” Ryder gestures at his notebook in front of me. “Do you think you can keep it together to keep going with that?”
“Oh.” I look down at my handwriting on his page and pick up the pen. “Right.”
He snaps his fingers at me. “On second thought, gimme that pen.”
“Huh?”
“The way your hand has been shaking, I’ll never be able to read your notes.”
The pen drops out of my hand, and I stare at my open palm, watching the slight tremor that remains.
“Oh, you don’t have a bandage anymore.”
I shut my palm and suck in a breath. “Huh?”
He nods at my closed hand. “Has it healed now? After the vase incident.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Good.” He snaps his fingers again. “Now, seriously, pass the notebook.”
I pass the pen and notebook back to him. “Do you want me to dictate to you?”
The muscle in his jaw flexes. “I guess it wouldn’t be a terrible thing if I had your help to work out what to write.”
My eyebrow raises with skepticism. “Like, teach you?”
