IVY
I stared hard at Adrian, my chest heavy. I feared my heart was going to pop out of my ribcage. This time, it wasn’t because I wanted to take in his features. I’ve never seen anyone stand up for me in my entire life.
And it felt real. For a second, it didn’t feel like he was putting up a show for me. All he ever did was assert his authority, and she backed off.
Adrian flinched. “Did I say wrong?” He sounded genuinely clueless. “I didn’t mean to say the wrong thing,”
“Adrian,” my voice was thick with unshed tears, it was barely audible.
“Sloane, Look—”
I tightened my fist, “Adrian!” When I spoke again, my voice was louder.
He stilled.
“Thank you,” I said. Because I didn’t know what else to say. I don’t know if this was the right reaction to someone standing up for you. I wa
