Page 181 of Eternal
I sit up straight again, feeling more conflicted than ever. “I don’t want to make him work for it. I just want him to stop holding back, I think… I think I need him to kiss me, and I think he knows it.”
Kat raises her eyebrows. “You're gonna wait for him to make the first move?”
I pause, biting my lip, thinking about everything that’s happened. “I don’t know. Maybe…”
Kat’s grin softens, her teasing tone replaced by something more sincere. “Hey, just promise me to not let fear stop you from going after what you want. You deserve it, Azra. You deserve someone who’s willing to fight for you, whether it’s him or someone else.”
I smile faintly, “I guess… I guess I’ll figure it out one way or another.”
Kat leans back in her chair, giving me a wink. “Hell yeah you will. And when you do, you better let me know all the juicy details.”
“I will. I promise.”
She smiles proudly and then she asks, “Apart from that, how do you feel?”
“Honestly… I think I need to just go after someone now.”
Kat nods slowly, like she understands, but she also knows me too well. “You’re looking for an outlet.”
I glance at her, my fingers tapping against my thigh. “There’s a name in my mom’s journal. A man she worked with before she died, a random asshole she wrote about. I might just go and visit him.”
Kat raises an eyebrow. “And you’re planning to do what, exactly?”
“What do you think?”
She sighs, setting her drink down. “Azra, you just found out about an entire underground trafficking ring. Maybe this isn’t the best time to go hunting for side quests.”
“I need to do something, I need to hurt someone who deserves it. If not, I’ll work forever on this case and lose my mind over it.”
She studies me for a long moment, then shrugs. “Fine. Just don’t get caught.”
Before I can respond, my phone vibrates against the table, and the name on the screen makes my stomach tighten.Damir.
I hesitate before answering, my voice steady. “Hey”
His voice is smooth, teasing. “Dinner tonight.”
I look around, see Kat smiling because she knew exactly who was on the other hand of the phone. I wanted to go back home and have a movie night today. And sleep. Yeah sleep, I do need that.
“I can’t.”
There’s a beat of silence, then, “Why?”
“I have something planned.”
“Cancel it.”
“No.”
“Voron.” His tone drops just slightly, “Whatever it is, it can wait.”
“No, it can’t,partner.”
He exhales, a mix of frustration and amusement. “You know, for someone who likes to act all cold, you’re really bad at pretending you don’t want to see me.”
“You’re delusional.”
“Am I?” His voice is lower now, rougher. “Then why does your voice sound like that?”
