She didn't say anything at first. Just turned off the engine and sat there, both hands still gripping the steering wheel.
The sound of the cooling engine faded into the low hum of the city outside.
Her jaw was tight — the kind of tight that came right before words.
The kind that meant she'd been holding them back for too long.
She looked back at the windshield, then finally spoke. "I'm I a joke to you, Kai?"
I frowned but stayed quiet.
She took a deep breath, eyes still on the windshield. "I must look like one."
"Tasha…"
"Don't," she cut in, voice trembling at the edges. "Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about."
I turned my head toward her, but she still wouldn't look at me. "I don't see why I should explain anything to you."
"Still," she muttered, her voice soft but strained. "You… you shouldn't have just—" She paused, biting down a breath. "I don't know, let her walk you in like that."
Her tone wasn't loud, but it cut deeper than if she'd shouted.
