Page 23 of Wilde Hearts

I balled my fists. “Are you two dating?”

For a moment, I wasn’t sure if he was going to answer me. A slow smile spread across his stupid face, and I wanted to knock it right off. His non-answer was his answer.

“Again, my relationship with Ensley is none of your business. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m exhausted and ready to get home.”

He pushed past me, bumping into my shoulder as he went.

For a moment, when she saw me in the elevator, it looked like Ensley was about to turn and walk away. Instead, she lifted her chin and stepped in, hit the lobby button, then faced forward.

I wanted to ask her about Doug, but he was right—it wasn’t any of my business. My mother and father had told me last night, after I’d mentioned seeing him and Ensley together, that they had dated for a couple months at one point, but Mom wasn’t sure if they were still. I’d wanted to ask more questions, but decided the best thing to do was to stop by and talk to Ensley last night. If we were both going to be spending time with my father, we really needed to talk.

Just as I opened my mouth to say something, a loud noise filled the elevator, and it came to a halt.

“Shit,” I mumbled as I waited for a moment, hoping it would kick back up like it did the last time.

When nothing happened, I stepped forward and reached into the box, grabbing the phone.

“What are you doing?” Ensley asked, her voice high-pitched and breathy.

“Looks like we’re stuck, so I’m just going to call and make sure they know we’ve stopped.”

“This is lobby security.”

“Yes,” I said, as I glanced at Ensley, who was clearly starting to panic. “We’re stuck in,” I glanced at the panel, “elevator two.”

“Okay, sir, please just stay put, and we’ll get this taken care of as soon as possible. Just stay calm, there’s nothing to worry about. You’re safe.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it.”

I hung up the phone, and Ensley asked, “What did they say?” Her chest was moving up and down rapidly with shallow breaths.

“They’re going to get it fixed as soon as possible.”

Her face drained of all color, and she looked like she was struggling to stay upright.

I immediately reached for her, taking her gently by the upper arms. “Ensley?”

“Can’t. Breathe!”

Was she having a panic attack?

She drew in a shaky breath. “One. Two. Three. Four—shit! Is it…four or…eight?!”

Confused, I asked, “What are you talking about?”

“Box breathing! I can’t…I can’t get…a breath!”

Cupping her face in my hands, I bent down to look into her eyes. “Hey, it’s okay. Just try to slow your breathing down for me.”

She shook her head. “I can’t breathe!”

I placed her hands on my chest. “Feel my chest moving, Pip. Look into my eyes and take a breath with me.”

She did as I said, and when her eyes met mine, it felt like someone had gut-punched me. They were filled with tears—and a fear I’d never seen before in those baby blues.

“That’s it, now take a deep breath.”

Ensley drew in a deep breath and slowly let it out.