Page 149 of When The Night Falls

William’s eyes were fixed on the front door, and it was clear by his expression that he was pondering. Sensing how conflicted he was, I reached out and took his hand. My chest stung at the contact of our skin. It felt so right, and I didn’t want to lose it. Indeed, if I lost him over something like this, I would regret it for the rest of my life.

His gaze darted to our hands, then up to mine. I squeezed and stepped closer to him, staring at him with a desperate plea in my eyes.

‘Please, Will. Say you believe me.’

His jaw flexed and he withdrew his hand from my grip. ‘Have you kissed tonight?’

‘No,’ I said, high-pitched. ‘I’ve treated him only as a friend would.’

He narrowed his eyes, scanning my gaze for lies.

‘Is everything all right here?’ Aaron suddenly interrupted.

I stopped breathing and turned my head. Aaron stood near the corner leading to the living room, and it seemed like he had just arrived. When he saw my face, his eyes widened.

‘What the hell have you done?’ he asked, looking accusingly at William.

‘Nothing.’ William frowned, his voice taut with irritation.

Aaron gestured to me. ‘She’s crying her eyes out, man!’

‘Oh, piss off,’ William snapped.

Aaron looked at me. ‘Shall I kick him out?’

‘No, it’s all right.’ I shook my head and dried my cheeks. ‘It’s my own fault that I’m crying.’

Aaron grew quiet then, studying me. A series of different emotions crossed his face, and he hesitated.

‘Am...Am I missing something here?’ The apprehension in his eyes struck my chest like a bullet.

‘Yes,’ I squeaked.

His lips snapped into a tight, straight line and his jaw clenched. Several seconds of silence elapsed.

‘I thought he was just your boss,’ he said. ‘Nothing more.’

Guilt twisted my face and I started to tremble. A row of sobs threatened at the back of my throat.

This wasn’t how I had meant for him to find out.

‘Please, don’t tell me you’ve slept together,’ he said, grimacing. He tucked his hands in his pockets, and they formed fists there.

‘Aaron, I... I’m sorry,’ I said, my voice quivering.

His eyes were filled with hurt. I had never seen him like this, and it gnawed at my chest like vicious poison.

He looked at William. ‘More than once?’

William merely glanced at me, keeping quiet.

I studied Aaron with wide eyes, desperate to soothe him, desperate to make amends, but I knew that if I reached for him, he would only shudder away. He always did when he was upset about something, and this time, he was upset about something I had done.

‘That’s strikingly unprofessional,’ Aaron said as he surmised the truth from our silence. ‘Aren’t you supposed to be her boss?’

William’s face crinkled with shame. ‘It’s not as simple as that.’

‘Isn’t it? And how is that?’

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