Page 44 of Close to the Edge

A simple answer, but such a powerful statement as to the true depths of Lily Gracen. I would’ve thought it impossible, but I grew even more attracted to her in that moment.

“And the Scott thing? How did you find out?”

She smiled unapologetically. “I hacked his phone records and confronted him.”

“How did Chance take it?” I realized I was searching for another reason to punch the guy’s lights out when I met him tomorrow.

“He claimed he was looking out for me. I called bullshit and threatened to walk then. He promised it would never happen again.” The information was coming out in charged little bites.

“Lily—”

She shook her head. “No more. You’re ruining the mood.”

I cupped her cheek, my thumb caressing her lower lip until she had herself back under control. “Don’t feel bad about letting me in. I know a little about how that feels like.”

Wide green eyes locked on mine. “Really?”

I heard the throb of pain in my voice and inwardly grimaced. I could’ve answered differently, thrown her off with a shrug or said nothing at all. Instead, the last word I expected to say surged from my throat. “Yes.”

She waited. Then a breath huffed out. “That’s all you’re going to give me?”

Curiosity swirled in her eyes, making my chest pound for a different reason. “Yes. I don’t want to ruin the mood, either.”

Her breath grew shaky. As did her hand when she raised her glass to take a healthy gulp. She stared at me for several heartbeats. Then, visibly shaking it off, she grabbed the remote and aimed it at the screen.

“Lowlights.” Her command activated the lights, dimming the overhead lights and leaving only a set of lowlights running along the floor.

Onscreen, the system had grouped her entertainment into genres and then favorites. She clickedfavorites. A long list rolled down the screen.

“These are all your favorites?” I asked skeptically.

“Uh-huh.”

The title she clicked on caught my eye, and another raw memory spiked through me.“The English Patient?”

She glared at me. “It’s a classic.”

“If you want to weep into your martini glass the whole time then fall into a coma from boredom, sure.”

“You’ve seen it?”

My teeth clenched as I toyed with evading. “Yeah, I’ve seen it. It was my mother’s favorite, too.”

Naked, hesitant curiosity lit her eyes.“Was?”

I threw back the remaining bourbon. What the hell... “She died. Fifteen years ago.” Because she fell through the cracks. Over and over again until she hit rock bottom and never rose. I swallowed my bitterness as Lily leaned closer.

“When you were fourteen?”

I jerked out a nod. Silence throbbed between us, then I indicated the screen. “Are we gonna watch this movie or what?”

Her head swiveled to the screen, then back at me. She held out the remote. “The deal was you could help me pick. You’ve vetoed my first choice. Show me what you got.”

I accepted it, allowing my fingers to graze hers. She exhaled sharply.

God, I wanted to feel that puff of breath on my face. Reluctantly, I turned to the screen. Surprisingly, only half of the movies were chick flicks. Top-notch detective movies and psychological thrillers had made the cut.

I frowned as the list kept going. “There are over a hundred here. How can they all be your favorite?”

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