Page 212 of The Grand Duel

“My alloys are certain of it.”

I bite my lip. “I’m sorry. I’ll have them replaced.”

He closes his eyes and huffs a laugh, although he seems a little defeated. “Don’t worry about it.”

I reach for his forearm when he reaches for the door handle. “Wait.”

He turns to look at me, and I tilt my head, peering up at him. “You okay?”

There’s a trace of a frown that runs across his forehead like a thread, and it’s his only tell. “I’m fine.”

“Charlie,” I plead. “Stop saying that. At least to me. Edna’s right, we’re both as bad as each other.”

He swallows, looking away.

“You cancelled your visit with Lance. Do you want to talk about it?”

He clears his throat. “Scarlet asked me not to go.”

I take a second to process that, to try to figure out everything he’s left out. “Okay.”

“You don’t have to worry about me, Lissie,” he says without turning. “I just needed five to walk back here. I didn’t want to take my mood out on Scott or anyone else.”

I watch him, wishing he’d look at me.

Wishing he’d open up to me again.

Trust me the same way he did at the cottage.

When he doesn’t, I take off my seat belt and climb across the centre console, settling myself on his lap so that I’m straddling him.

He sighs, hands smoothing over my hips as his eyes dart around my face. “What are you doing, Lissie girl?”

Leaning forward, I wrap my arms around his neck, holding tightly on to his damp shoulders.

His hands travel up my back as he pulls in a deep breath.

“Existing. Here. With you.”

His arms grow tighter, his warmth making my eyes drift closed.

I don’t know how much time passes before I give in and pull back, running my hands down over his chest. “You’re soaking,” I say with a sad smile.

I let my hand lift to his chin, running over his cheek and then up into his wet hair. He twists his head and nuzzles my palm, his lips dragging up the inside of my wrist.

My hands eventually settle back on his shoulders, my fingers toying with the hair at his nape.

And then I wait.

“I go once a week, but he hasn’t ever accepted visitation. For me or anyone else.”

I nod, already knowing this.

“Scarlet asked me to stop. She doesn’t want me wasting my time. It’s hurting her to sit and wonder if he’ll let us in.”

“And what do you want?”

He stares past me. “I know I should stop.”