As her told her not to do that with him, Lola didn't know what to say to him. And when she looked into Parker's beautiful eyes she could see he wasn't showing her pity or guilt. And she didn't know what to do with that. This was why she had avoided him so steadfastly. She couldn't hide from him.
But when he reached out a gentle hand to steady her, she jerked away and slapped at his hand, her pulse jumping like a caged bird in her throat.
"Don't touch me."
Parker froze, his blue eyes on her and she found she was on the verge of hyperventilating, tears in her eyes. She barely heard him ask her if she needed to sit as she did so, finally sitting on a nearby table, eyes closed as she focused on counting slowly barely audible. When she opened her eyes again Parker was still there, concern obvious, but he hadn't moved.
"I'm okay," she whispered again, this time it was obvious it was just a lie she kept saying out loud hoping to make it true if she said it enough. "I'm okay." This time it was barely audible and she couldn't steady her voice. Parker slowly came over to her and sat beside her, not touching her. It was obvious he knew she wasn't okay.
"I'm sorry," she said softly, even though she knew he would tell her she had nothing to apologize for. She'd gone through a traumatic event. Tentatively she leaned her head against his shoulder.
"I just don't know what to do," Lola whispered, the only reason he could hear her over the music was his wolf hearing. "It just feels like I'm always missing a piece of me. And I don't know what to do." Tears flooded her eyes again and she couldn't stop them from falling.