Page 188 of The Grand Duel

My phone starts to ring in my pocket, and I pull it out, seeing Nina’s name flashing up on the screen.

I frown, my eyes catching the time as I swipe to answer.

Shit.

“Nina, I’ve just seen the time.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah.” I look at Lissie, her head twisted and resting on her shoulder. “I’m at the cottage. I’m presuming you know about that.”

“Everyone but you, Charles.”

I shake my head and smile. Lissie’s eyes warm, watching me. “I won’t be long. I need to drop Lissie home, and I’ll be heading out.”

“You’re with Lissie?”

I look into her brown eyes, wondering if I even want to share her a little bit. “Yeah. She wanted me to see the gardens in daylight.” I pull the phone back slightly and mouth,Do you want to come to dinner?

Lissie instantly shakes her head, whispering, “I can get an Uber, it’s no big deal. Don’t worry about getting me home.” She stands, taking our cups to the kitchen.

“From the pictures it’s stunning. And the location.” I can hear the smile in Nina’s voice through the phone. “Puts you that little bit closer to us. We just need Elliot and Luce this way now.”

I frown, trying to listen to Nina whilst my mind is on the woman in front of me. “It’s great. Hey, Nina, you don’t mind if Lis comes over today, do you?”

There’s a brief moment of silence, just enough time for Lissie to turn at the sink and stare at me in panic across the room.

“Charlie Aldridge, is that even a question?”

“It would be rude not to ask.”

“I’m deeply offended that you did.”

I chuckle.

“My jaw is still on the floor, so for your benefit, I’ll get it picked up before you get here. Anything I should know?”

“Only that she’s painfully stubborn and might have to come kicking and screaming.”

Lissie’s arms cross as she watches me.

Nina snorts a laugh. “Get going then, the beef has just come out, and Luce is getting hangry.”

I hang up, pocket my phone, and then stand, walking to where Lissie is in the kitchen. “I didn’t invite you because I didn’t want to drop you home.”

“Then why did you invite me?”

“Why do you think, Lis?”

She stares at me and then shrugs.

“I like spending time with you.”

“I have a shift tonight,” she says, her words falling from her mouth in a rush but not as fast as my heart sinks to my gut. “I start at eight.”

My jaw goes taut. She’s worked the club three times this week, twice since I took her out to dinner. Both times I’ve barely managed to get a wink of sleep.

I swallow and take a second before telling her, “I can get you back in time for your shift.”