Page 100 of Breaking Point

“Not anymore,” he says quietly, and I look away so I don’t have to face the scrutiny in his eyes. “I think I did more than my fair share when I was though.”

I don’t know what to say, so I say nothing… convincing myself it’s better than saying what’s on my mind. Aleks’ shoes scuff the ground as he stops beside me. He props his cane by my hand and leans down to look at me properly.

“Should I ask what’s going on?”

A small laugh escapes me. “Probably not… I might cry if you do.”

He nods, dark eyes fixing on the balcony doors behind us. “I think life has a way of showing us what we need when we don’t even know it ourselves. If you wait long enough… You might be surprised.”

I really laugh now, glad that the need to cry fades as I do. “What wise soul told you that?”

“Charlotte, I think. Or maybe Skar. At this rate, it’s hard to remember. But… It was good to hear it then. Good to hear it now too.”

“Yeah,” I sigh, and I don’t know why it feels easier to breathe now. “I’ll be okay. I think I just need another minute to myself.”

He nods, and when his eyes drift past me, I can guess it’s because Crew is watching from nearby. “All of this can wait if it’s too much on your schedule. Sofia and I can tide ourselves over just fine.”

“We’ve already pushed things off. This needs to get done or we forfeit the deposit,” I try, but he shakes his head gently.

“I’ll pay another one,” he shrugs, and at the very thought, I smile again. “Money is no object. That’s one thing that hasn’t changed.”

“I’ll be back in a minute,” I urge him again, and when he raises a brow, I shoo him off.

He smiles and limps back inside as Crew lingers in the doorway. I shrug my hair back, looking away before my thoughts veer to him again. My muscles go lax when he steps out of view.

The notes burn a hole in the bottom of my purse, and no matter how much I stare at them, they onlyconfuse me more. I inhale, bracing myself to head back inside. I don’t force a smile this time. I sit, the smell of the sweet summer roses from the centerpiece wafting toward me.

“I’m sorry- again. We were talking about getting final vendor signatures before we send out invites. Skar, I know you both offered to cover any costs.”

He nods, tattooed fingers spinning his untouched mug of tea. “Cost won’t be an issue.”

“I think he’s just glad I’m finally settling down,” Aleks teases.

“They’re just happy for us,” Sofia continues, squeezing his arm. Charlotte eyes the movement, face neutral, but she quickly forces a smile.

While I want to ask, I don’t allow myself to consider what it means. “I just hope you’re ready to be on the front of every magazine for the next few months.”

Aleks shrugs, cocking a smile. “I think some good press could be a good thing.”

Chapter Forty-Six

Crew

Forcing myself not to think about her is my own personal hell. Especially when even though she’s not around, she’s everywhere.

I can smell her.

I can hear her.

I can taste her.

I can’t sleep, I can’t eat, I can’t think because she’s always there. I should’ve known it’d be this way from the start. Maybe I did. Maybe I knew from the first moment I laid eyes on her.

The honorable thing to do is leave. Find a new job. Forget that I crossed every boundary I’ve ever set for myself.

Leave and forget. The thought alone leaves a lump in my throat, too big to swallow.

What worries me is the fact that since we’ve gotten back, everything’s been quiet. We haven’t heard from whoever is leaving the notes. And I don’t have any more of a lead than when I left.

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