Cassian crossed his arms and glared at the doorframe. I thought I understood what was happening. Cassian must have realized I was right but hadn’t told Jasmine, and Jasmine was onto him. She didn’t want to let us speak alone. I was a little disappointed this was about the case, but I couldn’t refuse to help a citizen in need, even if it broke my already broken heart.
“I’d prefer to speak with Cassian in private,” I said.
“That’s not what he wants,” Jasmine said.
“I don’t know what he wants, because you spoke for him. Is that what you want, Cassian?” I asked pointedly.
His eyes found mine again, and I spotted his gratitude. “I’d like to speak with you alone.”
“What?!” Jasmine said.
I placed a hand on Cassian’s back, turning to block Jasmine from Cassian with my body as I guided him inside my house and shut the door. Cassian may have struggled to be anything but polite to her, but I had spent a lot of time resenting Jasmine. I enjoyed shutting the door in her face. I locked it too.
The moment we were alone, Cassian’s expression broke. His brows drew together and his eyes widened as he watched the door with a quivering chin. “Sterling, I’m so sorry,” he said.
“Me too,” I said.
He shook his head, and a tear slid down his cheek. “Why? You have nothing to apologize for.”
“I’m sorry I’m not wearing a shirt,” I said.
His delightful laugh filled the room while he wiped his tears away. “I don’t care about that,” he said, taking the opportunity to look me up and down. “You were right. I promised I wouldn’t overreact, and then I did.”
“It’s okay. I knew it wouldn’t be easy for you,” I said.
He shook his head. “It’s not okay. I hurt you.”
I sighed, unable to take my eyes off him. “I’m just happy you’re here,” I said, brushing his hair out of his eyes but pulling my hand back when I realized it might be inappropriate. He took my hand before I got far, pressing it to his cheek again. He kissed my palm and then looked me in the eyes once more. My heart fluttered, and my stomach flipped. “Wh—what do you want to do?”
His eyes welled with tears. “I don’t know,” he whispered.
“I, uh…” I didn’t know how to tell him this without making him feel bad, which seemed to be a weak point of mine. “I don’t know if there’s anything I can do. I’ve been demoted.”
His eyes widened. “Because of me?!”
I shook my head rapidly. “No, Cassian. I did my job poorly. I shouldn’t have closed your case, but I cared too much about what you thought of me. That’s on me.”
“I’m so sorry,” he said, squeezing his eyes shut and pulling my hand off his face. “I ruined everything.”
“No you didn’t. Jasmine did.”
Cassian sniffled, opening his eyes but refusing to look at me. “I don’t know. If it weren’t for her, I never would have met you.”
I smiled, wishing I could kiss him. “Should I escort you to the station?”
“I—I—” Cassian shook his head. “I can’t bring myself to turn her in. She’s like a sister to me. All the important people in my life have moved on and forgotten me except her. It took everything in me to come here, but it’s undeniable that she did it. I moved a rune stone without telling anyone, and she knew.”
Cassian had evidence. Jasmine could be arrested now. “Cassian, I don’t know how to tell you this, but Jasmine left you when she cursed the inn.”
Cassian squeezed his eyes shut and covered his face with both hands. “Why?” he asked, his shoulders shaking as he sobbed into his hands. “Why does everyone leave me? I try so hard to take care of people, but it’s never enough.”
I pulled him into my arms, petting his head while he cried on my shoulder. “I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want you in their life. If you had asked me to stay, I would’ve stayed as long as you needed me.”
His crying slowed until he lifted his head to look me in the eyes. “Really?” he asked.
I nodded, unable to fight a smile while looking at him.
“What if I always needed you?” he asked.
