“Did she ask you for that promise?”
I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. She’s my sister. I’m giving her the life she deserves. The one she’d have had if my father hadn’t failed her mother.”
“You can’t carry that burden forever.”
“No, because Cassie doesn’t have forever.”
Zane opens their mouth but they don’t say a word more. They know I’m right. We’ve had this argument before. No matter how many times Zane has tried to convince me otherwise, the truth remains that Lydia got sick as soon as my father left. She already had a weakened immune system, but his presence in her life made her well. He loved her into perfect health.
Then I went to university, convinced everything would be fine. That my father had outgrown his wandering ways, his playboy nature. That he loved Lydia enough to remain by her side. That he considered Cassie his daughter, even if not by blood, the same way I considered her my sister. That he’d stay.
By the time I returned home after graduation, my father was gone and Lydia was dying. And all I could do was make her flowers. My presence wasn’t enough. Not like my father’s was.
It’s not even enough for Cassie.
Cassie, who is fully human and has the same degenerative disease as Lydia. The same weakened immune system. The same stubbornness.
I can’t extend her life the way a loving romantic fae partner can.
But I can give her the life she deserves. No matter how long or short that ends up being.
Zane heaves a slow breath as they rise from my table. “You were different,” they say, not looking at me.
“When?”
“This week. There was a light in your eyes I haven’t seen in some time. There was love.”
My heart aches at the wordlove. “Because I forgot what matters most.”
Zane shakes their head, a sad smile on their lips as they turn away from me. “No, I think it’s because yourememberedwhat matters most. I hope you remember again.”
After our signingcomes to an end and the rooftop clears of guests, I hazard a glance at Edwina. I’ve managed to keep my eyes off her the last couple of hours, but now I let my gaze linger, taking in the glow of the orb lights that catch on her fiery hair and the lenses of her spectacles. She finishes packing her leftover books into the spare crates, halting when our eyes meet.
She gives me an uneasy smile. We both received bad news today, and neither of us seems to know how to act with each other. To think how much easier it was last night. Or even this morning, when I grinned at her over my broadsheets and caught the flush of color that swept over her cheeks each time.
I banish the thoughts from my mind and steel myself to do what must be done.
Tucking my hands in my pockets, I stroll to her side of the rooftop, facing the low wall behind her table. She joins me. For several long moments we simply stare at the view—the dark streets below and the bright illumination from the heart of the city beyond.
She breaks the silence first. “It’s peaceful on this side of town, yet still lovely.”
“Yes,” I say, shifting my face to her profile. “Lovely.”
With a soft smile curving her lips, she meets my eyes. I untuck my hands from my pockets, and she glances down at them before sidling slightly closer. As she brings her gaze back to mine, she inches her hand nearer until our pinkies touch. It would only take the slightest movement to grasp her hand in mine like I did last night. Then just another move to kiss her. To voice the words I didn’t have the courage to say out loud last night…
I take a subtle step back. “Edwina.”
She flinches, smoothing her hands over her skirt as if she hadn’t been reaching for me. “Yes?”
“Let’s call off our bet,” I rush to say before I lose my nerve. “Let’s call off the free pass. You and I can’t afford to play this game anymore.”
Her face goes slack as she studies me. Then she narrows her eyes, a cold edge to the smile that was so warm just a moment before. “What happened toplease use me soon?”
Just like that, I feel like I’m back in the elevator, her body flush with mine, my cock straining against her backside while I whispered those words. My heart pounds at the memory. I want to tell her she can still use me, to do more than use me. To maybe fall for me the way I’m falling for her. But if she falls, I’ll fall deeper. And if I fall any deeper than I already have, there will be no coming back. Ineedto come back.
I need to stay here with my feet on the ground, where it’s safe. For both of us.
My voice comes out tight as I relay my next truth. “We can’t keep doing this. Playing a game of seduction and sabotage. It’s been a beautiful and pleasurable distraction, but if we keep at it, I’ll never gain traction. You know I need this win.”
