Page 90 of The Professor's Wife

“Like that she didn’t want to go on the road with you?”

“I wasn’t even considering the road when we broke up. She wanted to travel and party and never slow down.”

“That sounds a lot like you, doesn’t it?”

He glowered. “I’m not out here partying, Daze, or flying off to Bali for a good time. I still want things for myself when this is all said and done.”

“Like what?”

“Purpose.”

I blinked, repeating quietly, “Purpose.”

“A reason to live.”

I took a moment, digesting his words. “Forrest said—”

“Forget Forrest. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He just likes to insert himself, all right? He doesn’t respect boundaries.”

“He hated me!”

“He couldn’t understand you, and that’s what he does best. He dissects people. Likes to pull them apart. Find out what their strengths and weaknesses are, and you’re…you’re hard to figure out.”

I tugged on my wrist. “Let me go now, Tristan.”

He did, but it took great effort. His body shook as he released a deep breath. “I don’t want you to take what he said to heart. I don’t care about your past. I don’t care what you’ve doneor what you’re hiding. I just want you. I’ll take you any way I can. Broken, guarded, silent—I don’t care. Just don’t overthink this, Daze.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw a worker from the garage draw near, looking at me with concern.

“Are you all right, miss?”

I looked away from Tristan and nodded. “I’m fine.”

But I wasn’t.

Far from it.

The fight-or-flight response made my feet tingle.

The man looked at Tristan. “He bothering you?”

“No.”

He waited for me to continue, but I walked past them both, feeling lightheaded.

When I heard Tristan’s footsteps, I called out without stopping. “I just need a minute, all right? A quick walk. I’m not going anywhere, Tristan.”

He stopped, but I could feel his eyes on me. I took deep breaths, shaking the anxiety from my limbs. The morning sun beat down on me as I walked along the road, hearing the van follow behind me.

Feeling Tristan’s eyes on me every step of the way.

At some point, I ducked inside a bookstore where it was cool and dim. I sat in a quiet spot, out of everyone’s view, and continued to breathe. Tristan hadn’t followed me inside, but I knew I would find him out front.

The desperate look in his eyes unnerved me.

Frightened me.

Made me remember how easy it was to fall into someone.