"How much is the rent?"I ask hesitantly.
Gemma gives me a look."There is no rent."
"Gemma, I can't…"
"Yes, you can.Consider it a gift.You're family.And you've been through enough."
"But…"
"No buts.You helped me so much with the wedding and everything else.You were there for Summer when I couldn't be, and because of you, I found Carter.This is nothing.Let us do this for you."
I bite my lip, fighting the emotion welling in my throat."Okay.Thank you.Really."
Gemma hugs me and then spends the next half hour showing me all the cool features.They have heated bathroom floors, towel racks, a great sound system, along with hidden TVs in both the bedroom and living room.
After the tour, I promise to start moving in this weekend.
Now that I've seen the space and know I have somewhere safe to land, I head to Club Red.
It feels surreal walking into Club Red in jeans and a hoodie instead of lace or leather.The usual rhythm of music and murmured pleasure is muted tonight.Walking to the elevator, I put in the code and I take it to the third floor, then I stop in front of his door.
He opens it before I can knock.Like he's been waiting for me.
"Come in," he says, stepping aside.
The room looks the same as always.Leather and warmth.Dark and comforting.But something about it feels different now.There's no edge of anticipation.No shiver of submission.Just us.Standing on opposite sides of a room that used to feel like ours.
I fold my arms across my chest."Thanks for meeting me."
"You called.I'd drop everything for you."
I look away, blinking hard."I still can't believe it.Seeing you in class...I thought I was going to pass out."
"You weren't the only one."
We both let out weak laughs.
"I didn't know, Skye.I swear.If I had any idea…"
"I know," I cut in."I know you didn't.That's what makes it worse.We didn't do anything wrong.But it still feels like we did."
He crosses his arms, his jaw tight."If I had known the last time I touched you would be the last time, I would have done everything differently.Slower.Sweeter.I would've memorized you harder."
My chest aches.I want to walk over to him.To let him hold me.But I stay where I am."Me too."
Tears burn behind my eyes, and I don't try to stop them."I want to kiss you so bad, but I can't."
He takes a step forward, then stops."Skye..."
I shake my head, tears falling freely now."We can't.Not like this."
"Then let's figure it out," he says."We're both smart people.There has to be a way."
I search his face."Even if we could, wouldn't it always feel like a secret?Like something we have to hide?"
"Not forever.First, I'd go to the Dean and ask for you to be transferred.I'd make it open and clean."
"I need that class to graduate, it's my last year.What if someone finds out anyway?What if the Board doesn't approve it?What if..."
