Page 24 of Point of No Return

He mutters something else before shaking his head.

His hand guides us back to the table. Eva smiles in greeting, and Tyson seems to have gotten comfortable in the time we were gone. A fresh plate of steaming food is already in front of him.

“Doesn’t look like we were missed much,” Skar whispers just as I slide into my seat. He takes his own, and I try to hide my smile at his words. I’m glad when Liv steers conversation back into safer territory. The first dance, the flowers, how long we have to decorate the venue the weekend before the big day.

My mother casts looks in my direction, and the weight of whatever she’d given me feels heavier in my pocket. Because it’s a reminder that only means one thing: What I said to Skar wasn’t the truth. It never will be. Because it doesn’t matter what Skar and I think of each other.

By this time next year, the Benenatis will all be dead. And I have no idea what that means for me.

Chapter Thirteen

Skar

In the past month or so, I’ve seen Charlotte mainly in passing. Occasionally, there’s a luncheon or a family dinner to attend together which are the only times we truly acknowledge each other. Innocent touches here and there. The briefest brush of my lips across her cheek.

It’s infuriating how much a simple touch or a glance my way will be on my mind for days. Because she’s maddening. Because I shouldn’t think about her. Because she doesn’t make sense. But whatever little we give each other, I’m content to hold onto it. That infuriates me even more.

I chose not to go into the office today and spent the better part of the morning tossing in bed trying to get another hour of sleep.

Which is impossible, it seems as I decide to give it up, shower, and dress before heading downstairs for a bite to eat.

Aleks strolls out of the kitchen just as I enter, coffee mug in his hand. He smirks when he sees me, patting me on the back as he passes.

“Incoming.”

Over the years, the word has become a warning between us. A simple cue that means my day is about to get a whole lot more fun. My mood instantly dampens, and I swallow a sigh as I stroll into the kitchen to see my father standing at the island.

Surprisingly, Charlotte sits at the island too, looking entirely uninterested in what Tyson’s saying as she shovels food around her plate. She shoots me a pleading look as Tyson continues speaking, unaware of my presence.

“It’s important that everyone knows about the engagement.”

“Yes,” her eyes flick back to my father. “I’m aware of the situation.”

I’m crossing the room toward her before I can stop myself, putting an arm on either side of her and leaning down.

She’s left her chocolate hair down today, and the strands are soft against my cheek as I whisper, “Good morning.”

Ipress my lips against the side of her neck, and she stiffens, her muscles going taut. Satisfied with the scowl on my father’s face, I pull back only long enough for her and I to exchange a secretive glance. Her brows are knotted together as if to ask,What the hell?

“Ah, Skar. I was just telling Charlotte-”

“I overheard.” I push off the counter and grab a plate to fill from the breakfast bar across the kitchen.

“Then you remember the dinner I have planned tonight at the Belmont.”

I don’t. I’m distracted enough at work lately that I’d forgotten there was a dinner at all, but I refuse to give the man the satisfaction of admitting it.

Instead, I pull out the chair beside Charlotte. “Sorry there wasn’t more notice,” I tell her.

She gives a stiff smile. “Wedding planning can wait, I guess.”

“There are some key investors we’re meeting with next week, Skar. I want her there.”

I feel something hot burn in my throat, a strange sense of protectiveness washing over me.

Investors, my ass.

“She’s not going,” I say, absolute.

---