Finality. He wanted to sleep.
It was the first time we were in the same place at the same time, and we weren’t arguing or glaring or even kissing.
We spoke with each other, but we haven’t talked to one another.
Hypocritical, I knew that. Since I was the one who told him he wasn’t capable of maturity.
However, conversations didn’t need to be serious or mature.
They could just…be.
Especially with the right person.
“Do you think this will work?” I asked.
The blanket shifted as Christian turned. A hand tucked under his cheek.
“You think too much, you know that?”
During the day, I’d roll my eyes.
At night, with him, I smiled. “I’ve been told by an annoying man once or twice.”
“You mean an annoying, attractive man.”
Pressing my lips to suppress the laugh, “Definitely not.”
Shadows enhanced his flexing biceps while Christian lifted his arm to rub at his eyes.
Talking.
We were having a conversation.
Right.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“Osama and I have gone through our plan multiple times to make sure it works.” Sleep draped over his undereye, but he kept his focus on me. “If you want to back out, I won’t stop you.”
“No,” I tucked my own palm under my cheek. “I want to do this. For all the girls and for myself, but I can’t lie about how scared I am.”
“If it helps, I’ll be there with you every step of the way.”
My lips parted and his caliginous gaze trailed down.
“And,” he squeezed his eyes shut. “Rowlen and everyone else will be there for you too.”
I deflated into the bed with cold disappointment. I wish he’d left his words as they were instead of adding more to them.
What he said earlier was playing in my mind. About how he wanted to love me again, that maybe he could.
“Did you mean it when you said you wanted to love me again?”
It was a risk asking him but when else would I get the chance?
He didn’t reply which led me to truly believe he fell asleep.
A sigh broke from my mouth as I turned to the side facing away from him.
