Page 68 of Mountain Void

His hand squeezed hers gently, before letting go.

She'd forgotten how impossible it was not to react to him.

She wrapped both hands around the mug, welcoming the heat.

"Thank you."

He disappeared into the hallway for a moment before returning with a thick blanket, draping it over her legs.

"You don't have to—"

"I know." His voice was gentle. "Please humor me. You have no idea how scared I was."

Charlie looked down into her tea.

The steam curled upward, blurring her vision.

She took a slow sip, buying herself a few seconds. The warmth spread through her chest.

Lorenz sat next to her on the couch, watching her.

"You look better. Why don't you finish your tea? Then you should try to get some sleep."

“No,” she said, her voice coming out thinner than she’d intended.

“No?”

“Please. I need to tell you something and … I’d rather tell you here.”

In case you don’t want me in your home afterwards.

Lorenz didn’t argue. He turned so that his shoulders faced her. “What is it, Charlie?”

“Maybe … maybe I should go back to my place,” she finally said.

Coward.

That’s not it.

That’s not what you need to say.

Lorenz’s jaw tightened. “Please don’t do this, Charlie. Not tonight.”

And she hated—absolutely hated—that she was about to hurt him much, much worse.

She steeled herself for what she had to say, but Lorenz surprised her by speaking first.

“I’m sorry, Charlie. I understand why you can’t forgive me. I … I just want you to know that I would give my right hand to change what happened. I wasn’t there for you when you lost our baby, and that’s something I’ll never forgive myself for. But please don’t leave. Not tonight.”

Our baby.

The words threatened to bring her to her knees.

But she had to stay strong. Because he’d clearly been living with a load he didn’t deserve to live with. And that was something she could take from him—right now.

Charlie grabbed his larger hand in her own, squeezing harshly before remembering his injury.

“No. You were in training. I understood, Lorenz. Even then, I understood. I’m sorry if you feel I blamed you. I’m sorry if—“