Meg shrugs, trailing after us.
Chapter seventy-three
Christianna
“Erik, I’m okay,” I tell his back as he continues to pull me toward the kitchen.
He stops and turns. “I know you are, Tianna. But when something upsets your system, you should hydrate.” He pauses, brow furrowing as he considers this. “Yes. That is correct. Remy does this for me frequently. It is easy to become lost in other things.”
I nod. “Water sounds lovely. I just wanted you to know I’m okay.”
“You are sensible,” he says. “I have no doubt that you are okay. Let’s get the water.”
I bite my lip to keep from smiling.
This wonderfully brilliant, impossible man.
My heart gives a small squeeze at being his sole focus.
Chapter seventy-four
Remy
I knock at the door, irritated. Where the fuck did Erik go? And why didn’t he unlock the damn door for us?
The door swings open to Meg in her dance clothes. I nod and brush past her as she calls out helpfully, “Kitchen.”
I hear low voices behind me, but I ignore them and move to where Tianna stands beside Erik. He twists the cap off a bottle of water and hands it to her.
She takes an obedient sip, and he nods approvingly.
I step in and pull her against my side. “You good?” I ask, bending to rest my cheek briefly against the top of her head.
She smells like carnations, sweet and spicy, an unexpected combination.
I close my eyes.
Erik has moved closer. His other arm wraps around her. The Notes settle between our legs.
Erik’s hand cups the back of her head.
“Christianna, may I ask you a question?”
She nods, a little awkward.
“May we court you?”
“Um…” She licks her lips nervously. “What do you mean?”
“May we date you?” he clarifies. “Take you to dinner. Come over just to visit. Develop a relationship.”
I close my eyes again. Shit.
The silence stretches, loaded. I don’t know how to smooth this over. Or if I even should.
Erik continues, steady. “We both care for you. Remy is better at conveying it. I would not be a good partner on my own.”
“Oh, Erik,” she sighs. “Don’t sell yourself short. You would be a good partner. A partner is two people working in tandem. You just need the right person to work with.”
