Page 130 of The Grand Duel
Of course.
Are you okay?
Charles Aldridge
Director
Charles Aldridge Ltd
I wait, phone in hand, refreshing my mailbox for over five minutes before her email pings.
I’m fine, Charles.
See you later.
Lissie
Assistant to director
Charles Aldridge Ltd
I chuck my phone to the bed and drop my head back, wanting nothing more than for someone to punch me clean in the face.
Of course she’s fine.
She’s Lissie.
I should have told her the truth. I never should have touched her before telling her that it was me in the club.
I caved, and I’m a fucking asshole for it.
I change and collect her case from the suite, finding mine packed and waiting alongside hers. When I climb on board the plane an hour later, she’s already in her seat.
She sees me and gives me a small, wary smile.
I near, unsure if I should take the seat next to her or not. Instead, I settle for the one opposite.
“Did you get my case?” she asks, the sound of her voice making my blood roar through my veins.
I drop back into the seat, facing her. “I did. Thank you for packing for me. You didn’t have to do that.”
She shrugs, a little awkward. “It’s my job.”
I swallow and watch her, wishing she’d give me her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Lis.”
She’s shaking her head instantly. “No. It’s fine, honestly. I just needed to clear my head this morning, and it gave me timeto think.” She keeps her gaze on me, as if trying to tell me without words that she gets it. “Looking back at last night and this morning, I can see I pushed the boundaries, and I hate that I might have made you feel uncomfortable.”
“You didn’t make me feel uncomfortable,” I tell her.
She tilts her head. “I did. Don’t lie.” She frowns, dropping her eyes again. “I know…I know that I made you feel good and that you wanted me. I feel like you meant those things.”
“I do.”
She smiles awkwardly, looking around us but not at me like I need her to. Only when she does eventually look at me, my gut sinks through the seat. “I felt rejected when you said we couldn’t go any further. I panicked and left, and everything is a bit of a blur after that. I’m sorry if I’ve been unprofessional.”