Page 104 of When The Night Falls

‘Why do you care?’ he suddenly asked.

It was an excellent question. Why did I care? I had no right to. However, the fact remained, which was that I did care. Was it because of my supermassive ego? Was I so narcissistic that I couldn’t accept his moving on? Did I want him to yearn for me eternally, despite my endless rejections?

No, it was really quite simple. I cared because he remained the only man who had ever captured my interest this way. He was the only man I had ever experienced butterflies in the presence of, the only man I had ever felt so connected with, and he was the only man it had ever felt right to kiss. So, it hurt me to know that it wasn’t mutual.

While I had myself to thank for his moving on, it wounded me that it had been so easy for him, as I was nowhere near the same point. I still fancied him.

But that didn’t change anything. My feelings were simply not justified.

‘I was just curious,’ I said.

He scoffed. ‘Haven’t you heard? Curiosity killed the cat.’

I looked away. ‘No, I’ve heard. It’s just...’

‘Just what?’

I sighed. ‘It’s not my place, but I think she might be in love with you.’ I said it because I wanted him to refute it. Nothing would have satisfied me more than to hear him ridicule me for even thinking such a thing.

‘You’re right. It’s not your place,’ he said and got back to work.

‘Sorry.’ I felt ashamed for prying into his love life – I had no right to be doing it –so I said nothing else until it was finally time for lunch.

When the clock struck half eleven, I stood up. ‘Lunch?’

‘In a minute. I need to look over a few more things before my meeting with Vi.’

‘I’ll join Ellie, then.’

He merely waved a hand in the air to indicate that I was free to go.

§ § §

Over lunch, Ellie and I exchanged some small talk, and I was grateful for the distraction. We talked about where we had grown up, what sort of party-scenes we were into, what interests we had in common, as well as romantic statuses. Ellie was engaged to a man named Brian, whom she had met four years ago. He was an economist, and their encounter hadn’t been particularly unique, according to her. They had both been drunk at the same pub when Brian had decided to chat her up.

She was sharing stories about their relationship when I noticed William, but instead of joining us, he grabbed a seat at Andy and Violet’s table. Part of me was disappointed, another thankful. My mood was still unstable after Francesca’s visit, so I appreciated some mental room to sort out my thoughts, especially my feelings.

‘But you’re determined to stay single?’ Ellie asked as we waited for the lift after lunch.

The doors opened, and I was just about to elaborate when a large hand landed on my back and ushered me in gently. As I tilted my head back, a spellbinding pair of eyes instantly hypnotised me.

‘Please, don’t let me interrupt,’ William said and held my gaze. Speechless, I stared back.

‘Mind your own business, Will. Nosy,’ Ellie said. She wasn’t one to talk, but I refrained from commenting on that.

‘No, it’s okay.’ I smiled. ‘I was only going to say that I’m committed to my career. That’s the only thing I have the capacity to maintain at the moment.’ I propped my back against the wall.

‘She sounds like you,’ Ellie said with a smirk and looked up at William.

He shrugged. ‘In a way, yes.’

I frowned. What was that supposed to mean? Wasn’t he seeing Francesca now?

Hearing my thoughts, I nearly groaned. I couldn’t keep doing this. It would do me no good to wonder about his love life.

‘I’ll be leaving to collect the files from Clifford Paints,’ I said to William.

‘Good. You might get back while I’m meeting with Vi. If you do, just continue your work on the NDA.’

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