Page 96 of Rush

And there he is.

Andrew.

He stands in front of Philippa’s door. Hands in pockets. Shoulders tense.

He looks up, guilt plastered across his stupid handsome face. Jerk.

His brow raises as he takes us in. Barefoot. Sweaty. Dresses crumpled. Wild hair. Smudged makeup. Heels swinging loosely from our fingers.

His gaze meets mine first. Embarrassed.

When his eyes land on Philippa—something changes. Shame at first. And then something softer. Something like awe.

She freezes beside me.

“Hey,” he says, voice rough.

No one moves or speaks.

Philippa lets go of my hand.

“You don’t get to hey us,” she seethes, stepping in front of me. “How dare you speak to my sister like that.”

My breath catches. I can’t believe it. The way she throws her arm back protectively makes my heart ache in the best way.

“Phil, I’m sorry,” he says quickly, eyes wide—panicked.

“It’s not me you have to apologize to,” she says, arms crossing tight before stepping aside.

He turns to me.

“Elena—I’m…I don’t know what came over me. I was being a dick. I hate what that Hollywood phony did to you,” he blurts out, words tumbling, barely breathing.

“I had too much to drink. I don’t always say the right thing. I’m better with numbers than words, and I really need to remember to think before speaking every thought out loud. I was being an asshole. You don’t have to accept it. You don’t even have to forgive me. But I’m begging for your forgiveness. Both of you.”

I stare at him for a long beat, arms folded, still barefoot, still buzzing with adrenaline.

“Glad your parents took one look at you and thought—you know what, we’ve created a monster, let’s not make another.”

His jaw drops. Philippa chokes on a laugh beside me.

I let the silence hang just long enough before adding, “But…I’ve heard worse apologies.”

Hope flickers across his face. “Are we okay?”

“Barely,” I say.

Now Philippa’s laughing fully, tears still drying on her cheeks.

Andrew exhales, dragging a hand down his face. “Fair.”

I step in closer, chin tilted, voice razor-sharp.

“If you ever bring up Alex again, I swear to God, I will drown you.”

His eyes widen.

“I mean it. Deep in the Hudson.”