Page 68 of Breaking Point

There are a million things to say and somehow, I can’t manage to speak any of them.

“Hey.” She steps closer to hear me over the clamor of the party.

“Been busy with a certain brother-in-law’s wedding?”

“I’m never busy enough somehow. I hear you’ve been busy as well.”

“Yeah” is my sheepish response. “Never ending really. But it’s the good kind of crazy.”

“I knew you’d kick ass,” she grins, offering a knowing look.

Another wave of silence passes, and I find myself reaching up to twist a lock of my hair between my fingers. “I’m… sorry to hear about your mother. And father. Everything that happened was-“

“Shitty,” she finishes with a huff, and I smile. “I’m glad it happened. I…” For the first time since I’ve known her, Charlotte Orlova- no-Charlotte Benenati is at a loss for words. “Leaving the way I did was one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made.” Her eyes are shining as she says it. “But being gone made me realize everything I had to lose.”

Words are caught in my throat, hanging heavy on my chest.

I know, I want to say.

But I shift my gaze and see Crew standing with Skar across the hall. They’re both stealing stealthy glances this way, but I can tell when Crew is watching from afar.

“You both look happy,” I comment because it’s true. For a man known for his cold demeanor, I’ve never seen him smile like he does with her. She blushes beat-red at the words, casting a long heated look at her husband, who merely smirks as he says something to Crew.

“I can’t believe I’m saying it, but we are.” Her smile is bright. “Are you, Liv?”

I want to answer honestly. I want to sit back, have drinks, and laugh about everything that’s happened, but a lash of unwanted feeling rises in my chest. And here…Now…

This isn’t the time or place for those things.

“Doing the best I can.”

She sees my hesitation, my inability to give her the friendship we both want, but she nods. “How would you feel about dinner one night? Our usual place… we can start small? Maybe talk about the wedding?”

She means the country club where we used to meet.

Small sounds doable.

“I’d like that,” I say quietly as she squeezes one of my hands.

“Don’t look now, but someone is coming to say hello,” she says under her breath. With a knowing look in lieu of goodbye, I see what she means:

Chase.

“One word and he’s gone,” she murmurs, and when she joins her husband, I know she’s still watching.

“Hey. I didn’t know you’d be here,” I start as he approaches. The strong smell of his pine cologne wafts toward me followed by a wave of aftershave.

“Last minute invite.” He grins, and I nod as I glance over the party for an out.

“Are you someone’s plus one then?”

As I say it, I see another familiar face step into view. Aleks. His charcoal gray gray suit is paired with a brightly colored kerchief in his pocket. Next to him, Sofia stands in an exquisite white dress, an elegant smile gracing her face.

“He’s mine,” Aleks introduces, his hand as Sofia’s waist. “Well, my other plus-one. I didn’t know you two knew each other.” He motions between Chase and I.

“Nor I, you.” All of the connections are honestly getting dizzying, but I take it in stride.

Chase stuffs a hand in his pocket, twisting to me. “I believe everyone’s acquainted now. Can I get you a drink?”

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