Page 145 of Devious Knight

“Are you two seeing each other?”

“It’s complicated.” Déjà vu. That’s what I said to Michael, too.

Dad raises his brows. “Okay. Why is it complicated?”

“It just is.”

He bites the side of his lip and takes in a slow, steady breath. “Were you careful?”

I know what he’s asking me. And I was right. He could tell I’d lost my virginity.

“Yes.” There’s no point dancing around and trying to make him think otherwise.

“Isabelle, I promised myself that if this day ever came, I’d respect your decisions, no matter how I felt.”

“You’re not okay with it?” My breath stills.

“Am I not okay with a boy who stopped you from being attacked, then took you to the hospital and sat by your side for the entire night?” He smiles softly. “Kade Gurkovsky might have given me many of the gray hairs on my head, but I could never not be okay with you being with him if that’s what you choose.”

I smile back at him. “Thanks, Dad. But I’m not sure I have the choice.”

“Maybe you should see what happens. Although, I guess this all explains the craziness between you two at the start of the semester.” He lifts a questioning brow. “Perhaps you just liked each other.”

“Maybe.” I wish it were as simple as that, but it’s not.

Dad taps my head and cups my cheek. “I’m going to order pizza. Maybe we can watch a movie together and have a lazy day. How does that sound?”

“Perfect.”

“Great. See you in a minute.”

With a warm smile, Dad gets up and leaves.

I am about to retrieve my hot chocolate but my phone buzzes with a message vibrating in my bag. I get it out and note the messages and missed calls from my friends.

The new one is from Kade. Warm flutters stir the nest of butterflies in my stomach just for reading his name.

This is the first message I’ve ever gotten from him.

It says:

Rest up, Lolita, I’ll come by and see you tomorrow evening.

I quickly type back: I will. See you tomorrow.

I look forward to seeing him. I guess I should see everyone else tomorrow, too.

Everyone has been calling, but the majority of calls and messages have come from Mackenzie. I know she feels bad, but I need to rest today.

I’ll make my plans for Parker tomorrow, too.

He wants me to drop by his office when I’m feeling better and let him know how I am. That’s an opportunity I’ll definitely be taking.

I make my way down the corridor to Parker’s office.

It’s just after lunch.

I purposely didn’t check in with his secretary to let him know I was on my way because I know Lana is with him.