Chapter 176

I sent Victor a text when I got to my office after school. After some thought, I was sure he wouldn’t let a kiss ruin our friendship.

He responded within minutes and offered to bring me lunch. “What do you want?”

I responded, “Surprise me.”

He arrived a half hour later with a pizza box tucked under his arm and a paper bag in his hand.

“I didn’t think you ate pizza,” I said.

As he placed the box on my desk, I looked for any sign that he was thinking about our kiss.

“Why not?” he responded. “Everyone eats pizza, and this isn’t just any pizza.”

Was it my imagination, or was his smile more intimate? And when he handed me a paper plate, his fingers definitely lingered when they touched mine.

I looked inside the pizza box. “What’s on it?”

“Shiitake mushrooms, shaved porterhouse steak, caramelized onions, and olives,” he replied.

I smiled. It was a Victor pizza. Pepperoni wouldn't do for an Alpha like him. But the pizza did look and smell delicious.

Lifting a slice from the box, I tried to slide the paper plate under it. But the crust collapsed, and the melty, gooey cheese and toppings spilled over my hand.

I reached for a napkin to wipe it away, but Victor stopped me by taking my wrist in his hand. He then raised my hand to his lips and licked the cheese from my fingers.

I gasped from the sensations his mouth caused on my skin. It made me tingle again.

“Sorry. This pizza is too good to waste,” he explained as he served me a large slice.

I sat at my desk with the pizza and one of the bottles of soda he had brought.

We locked eyes over the desk, and my pulse quickened. The same expression was on his face that was there right after our kiss last night. It was mesmerizing and made me blush at the same time.

I blinked, and the look was gone from his face before he took a bite of pizza.

“So, did …did you enjoy your date last night,” he asked. I had the feeling that wasn’t the question he intended to ask.

“The burger and fries were great, and the movie was good,” I said.

“You must have used my suggestions,” Victor said. “William wanted to kiss you.”

“I touched his hand at the diner,” I said. “But the theater was too crowded, and I was too uncomfortable to try anything there.”

It was bizarre to discuss my attracting another male after our passionate kiss less than twenty-four hours ago. Did I imagine the look of yearning on his face?

I wanted to ask him questions, but I’m not sure I could. The words would probably stick in my throat.

“It’s the only way to get the answers you want,” Diana advised. “Ask him what you want to know.”

“I get it that you want him for my mate,” I said. “But I’ve told you it’s impossible. He doesn’t believe in love, and he is, by his own admission, a playboy.”

“He could change,” Diana argued. “He has been changing ever since he met you.”

“No. He will never settle down. I want a career and children with a mate who will support whatever I do and be committed to our family.”

“And you think William is a better choice because he’s more of what you want in a mate?”

“Yes,” I replied. “William has already proven he is a caring person when he saved my life when I collapsed on the road.”

That incident and the candy he left meant more than I could say.

I glanced at Victor and was glad he couldn’t hear my conversation with Diana. But I knew she was conversing with Adam.

“Adam tells me you have questions for me,” Victor said a moment later. “Diana told him.”

“Diana, you must stay out of this,” I insisted. “Please don’t embarrass me, or I’ll be angry.”

My phone vibrated, and Benson’s name showed on the caller ID.

Fear raced through me. Benson would send me a text for anything trivial. Something must have happened to Alex.

I looked at the ceiling and said a quick prayer before I touched the answer button on the screen. “Hello,” I said.

“Miss Wilson, I apologize for calling you while you’re in your office. However, a matter of great importance has come up.”

“Is it my father?” I asked. “Is he worse?”

I should have been spending more time with Alex. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own life there were some days that I only saw him for a few minutes.

“No, Mr. Wilson is doing very well today,” Benson assured me.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

“I’m afraid there is bad news about Lana Klein,” Benson said. “A friend of the Klein family asked me to let you break the news to Mr. Victor Klein that his mother has been in a bad car crash.”

“How bad?” I asked. I couldn’t believe it. Lana was in a car accident. She had to be okay. I adored her.

“She is in critical condition at the I.C.U. of Denhurst City Hospital,” Benson replied. The sadness in his voice made me understand the seriousness of the situation.

Lana’s life was in danger. Tears stung my eyes, and I blinked them away. I needed to stay strong for Victor.

“Mr. Harry Klein is at the hospital with his wife, and he has requested his son join him as soon as possible. I have sent Joseph with the car to take you so Mr. Klein doesn’t need to drive.”

“Thank you,” I said. “I will handle things from here. Has my father been told?”

Lana was dear to him ever since she was my mother’s best friend years ago. Lana and Harry had one of those old friendships that lasted even when they hadn’t seen each other for years.

“Not yet, Miss,” he said. “Do you want me to inform him?”

“No,” I replied. “I will tell him when I get home. Maybe her condition will improve by then.”

“I shall be praying to the Goddess for her quick healing, Miss,” he said. “If you have a chance to send me a text regarding her condition, please do. Mrs. Klein is a wonderful person.”

We disconnected, and I took a moment to gather my thoughts before breaking the news to Victor. He adored his mother, and I didn’t want to give him such bad news as this.

The world thought I was Victor’s fiancée, and it was my duty to break the news and help him through this crisis.

Because I am his friend, I will do just that. And I must hurry in case Lana isn’t going to make it.

I got to my feet and went to his side.

“From the look on your face, I’d say that was bad news,” Victor said. “Did the board reject your project before reading the report?”

I shook my head and put a hand on his shoulder. “Your mother was in a bad car accident. We need to go to the hospital right away.”

Victor bolted to his feet and grabbed my hand. We hurried to the elevator.

“Is she going to be okay?” Victor asked as we waited for an elevator.

“We’ll know more when we get to the hospital,” I said, trying to sound positive. Panicking wouldn’t get Victor to the hospital any faster.

When the elevator car arrived, we rushed inside. Victor immediately reached to push the button for the parking garage, but I nudged his hand away and pushed the button for the main lobby.

“Benson sent Alex’s chauffeur to drive us,” I said gently. “You shouldn’t be behind the wheel of a car right now.”

“We need to hurry,” Victor said. “I have to see her.” His jaw was set tightly as he watched for the elevator door to open.

The elevator stopped, the doors opened, and we hurried to the front entrance. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the limousine waiting for us.

We climbed into the back seat, and Joe rushed us to the hospital, six blocks away.