And that’s all he gives me. I’m ready to practically prostate myself with gratitude for the generous gift, and that’s all I get in return.
A shrug.Shopping is fun.
“How are you feeling, Sophie?” Silas asks. He sets the pizza boxes on the table.
“I’m good,” I say. “What’s all this?”
“This is Friday night,” Ashton says like it’s a stupid question. “Gunnar and Stella are bringing the wine.”
“You’re…” From the way Fenella shakes off her coat before unpacking the bag she carries, it seems that they’re here to stay.
“We thought we’d hang out with you,” Fenella says simply. “I think Spencer and Lyra will stop by as well.”
The three of them bring in so much noise and movement andlifethat I need to take a few deep breaths to steady myself before Gunnar and Stella arrive.
I’m not an overly social person, but I like people, and this is the first that I’ve realized how alone I’ve been all week. Howlonely, save for Ashton’s visits.
Ashton didthis, too.
Kate shows up with Lyra and Spencer. We eat pizza and drink wine, and Silas teaches us a word game that involves guessing and incorporates charades that has us all howling with laughter.
It’s so much fun, but I can’t get over how Ashton arranged it all. For me.
I’m not the only one. “So Ashton did this?” Kate asks when we have a quiet moment.
I nod. “He’s been… we’ve been… he visits me,” I finish because I’m still not sure how to categorize our relationship.
If I can categorize it as a relationship.
Spencer overhears. “What’s going on with the two of you?”
“I honestly have no idea,” I tell him truthfully.
“I had another call from Officer Crow. She wants to know if you’re going to charge him with anything.”
“Jonathon asked me the same thing,” Kate adds.
“Why would I? It was an accident.”
“An accident that Ashton caused. And an accident that means you’re not able to stay in your apartment, go to work, or even leave the castle,” my brother points out. “You might not want to charge him, butthere are avenues to take where you can get compensation for your injuries.”
I frown. “You sound too much like a lawyer.”
“I am a lawyer. And I’m also your brother, so you tell me what you want me to do.”
“Nothing,” I say firmly.
“Are you sure?”
“It was an accident.” I’ve lost track on how many times I’ve told people that. “Besides…” I pause, glancing over to where Ashton talks with his sister and Gunnar. “I actually don’t remember the car hitting me.”
“You said you couldn’t remember anything.”
“That was when I was in the hospital. I’ve thought a lot about it, and I think I fell—before the car was even close to me. I think maybe I slipped on the road because I have this memory of not being able to get up.”
“But Ashton said—”
“He didn’t say anything,” I cut off Spencer. “I don’t remember the car hitting me, and you’d think I would. Because that would hurt. I’ve got some bruises but not the kind you’d get from a car running into you.”
