Page 110 (1/2)

“No”

“Where have you been?” I ask, turning back to face her

“I—”

“Did you think you could avoid ht?”

“I went to speak to Lady Isla,” she says, not answeringmy eyes as she twists a loose thread at her knees Not soacross the hole at the knee of her jeans Artfully ripped, I suppose She catchesshoes that look to have had a run-in with a puddle or two

“Oh?” And why?

“I went to see her because I was going to leave” My stomach constricts intensely and iazes meet, and I see the conflict there Conflict I understand because neither of us could’ve anticipated this “After last night”

“It was that bad, was it?” I try to keep ht I fail

“No, you knoasn’t,” she says softly, her cheeks turning a delicate pink “But—”

“Regrets happen in the daylight” I alloords to trail off, hoping she’ll fill in the blanks Cold feet That’s all this is Nothing to worry about

“No, I don’t regret it But not regretting spending the night with you doesn’t ht, either”

That, at least, is gratifying to know Especially if it’s not flattery Flattery I don’t need Holland, however

Do I need her?

There was a reason I spent theabout her in a darkened cinema

“Alexander, we can’t do this,” she adds al on o that I would never have a relationship with someone I worked with”

There’s a story behind the statement, but I park it to one side For now

“I take it Ca from some place defensive, reinforced as I fold reedy for reassurance

“What?” She drags her gaze higher, blinking as she does so

Though the action was juvenile, I find I’ed herelse, she still wants me