Page 89 of Love so Cold

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound jars us from the bubble we've cocooned ourselves in. I try to dismiss it, to focus on Avery and what she's just confessed, but the knocking grows insistent, a demand to be acknowledged.

Then my phone erupts into life, vibrating against the coffee table's surface. Roman's name flashes across the screen. Exasperation rises within me as I snatch it up. "What?" I nearly growl into the receiver.

"Hey, surprise! I'm outside," Roman's voice holds a lilt of mischief, clearly pleased with his impromptu change of plans.

"Outside? Now?" Disbelief colors my tone. He was supposed to arrive tomorrow.

"Yep. Thought I'd save myself the trouble and come early. You've got space, right?" There's a rustle on the other end, and I imagine him shifting his weight, probably grinning like he's pulled off some kind of prank.

"Fine," I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Give me a sec."

I end the call and turn back to Avery, who's already wiping away tears, composing herself as if she hadn’t just laid her heart bare. "I'm sorry, Avery. One of the guys came in early. Can we... can we finish this conversationlater?"

"Of course," she says, her voice steadier than I'd expect, her eyes clear now. She stands, smoothing the front of her shirt as if to erase any trace of the moment we'd shared.

"Thank you," I tell her, though 'sorry' is what I really want to say. Sorry for the interruption, sorry for not having the answers she needs, sorry for everything that's unsaid between us.

With a nod, she gives me a small smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "It's okay. Go ahead. We'll talk later."

And with that, she steps away, leaving me standing in the middle of my living room, wondering how many more moments we'll get before this fragile connection between us either solidifies or shatters completely.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Victor

The door swingsopen and Roman barrels in like a human wrecking ball, his arms outstretched. The force of his embrace nearly knocks the breath out of me. "Victor! I've missed you, man!" he booms, his voice echoing off the walls.

"Roman," I gasp out, patting his back with less enthusiasm than he's crushing me with. "Glad to see you too."

"Try again. This time with feeling," he teases, pulling back to scrutinize my face.

I roll my eyes but can't suppress the smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Seriously, it's good to have you here."

He drops his bags with a thud and steps intothe apartment. That's when he catches sight of Avery. He halts mid-stride, an easy grin spreading across his face.

"Who do we have here?" Roman strides over to Avery, extending his hand with a flourish that only he can pull off. "Roman Kingsley, at your service."

"Hi, Roman," Avery says, her hand dwarfed by his as they shake. "I'm Avery Bennett."

"Victor, you sly dog," Roman says, turning to me with mock indignation. "You never mentioned we'd have such lovely company. A delightful surprise indeed!"

I notice the slight dip in Avery's smile, the flutter of uncertainty in her eyes. Damn it, Roman. Last thing I need is for him to make her feel like she's just some 'company'—a temporary fixture in my otherwise solitary life.

"Actually, I kept it from you on purpose," I interject quickly, hoping to salvage the moment. "I wanted it to be a special surprise. Avery's not just any guest."

Avery's eyes meet mine, and there's a glimmer of gratitude there—a spark that tells me I might've done something right. Her lips curve into a genuine smile, and I feel a small victory warming my chest.

"Special indeed," Roman echoes, giving me a knowing look. "Well played, Victor. Well played."

Roman ushers Avery onto the couch with a grin that's all charm and mischief. "So, Avery Bennett," he starts, plopping down beside her, "tell me everything. What's the secret life of an enchanting enigma like yourself?"

Avery chuckles but there's a hint of nerves as she tucks a stray lock behind her ear. "There's no secret, really. I'm just... me."

"Ah, humility! A rare quality." Roman leans in, feigning a serious look. "But seriously, what's it like hanging around with this grump?" He jerks a thumb at me. "Do you need to see a shrink yet because of him?"

"Hey!" I bark out before catching myself. Can't let Roman get to me like that. It's his game—getting under people's skin.

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