Page 171 of The Grand Duel

“You said in the car this morning that we’d talk. Can I take you out somewhere? Just me and you, away from this place and the club.”

I lift my eyes, biting on my bottom lip.

“I just want to talk to you, Lis,” he says with a pained frown. “I can’t make this right if you won’t let me.”

I didn’t shower this morning. Jovie still hadn’t called me, and I had three texts and a voicemail from my mum. Stupidly I thought that I could still smell him on me from the club. And so, I forwent the shower and quietly allowed the remnants of him to comfort me.

I used to think Jovie felt like home, but I think it had to be something else because Charles seems to give me the same feeling.

Like I can still breathe even though everything feels like it’s a mess around me.

I let my eyes refocus on him, swallowing down the lump in my throat. “I’ll think about it.”

His brows rise, and he straightens. “You will?”

I start to type random words again, my heart relentless.

“Okay, well, I have a meeting in about half an hour. You’re not scheduled on to come with me?—”

“I have a video call with Helen Chamberlin.”

“Right,” he says, but frowns. “Did Ed not send you over the schedule?”

“Uh.” I scroll up, knowing I saw the email ping this morning, but I’ve not had time to get to it yet. “Oh, yeah. I’ve got it here.” I click on it, reading the first line of her email.

[email protected]

Good morning, darling.

I’m not sure if a shared diary is for him or us, but here we are. He wanted something he could update on the road so that we know when he’s coming or going or will be late. I think this software looks great. Let me know what you think.

Edna Harrison

Manager

Charles Aldridge Ltd

I read it over again. “We already have access to your diary,” I tell him, casting my eyes back over to him.

“Not one that updates you. This should send you text alerts if I make any changes as they happen. You’ll know where I am and if anything changes or if I can’t make it somewhere. You won’t have to worry.”

I blink, my chest tightening.

I dip my head, nodding. “Great.”

Don’t be stupid, Lissie. He wouldn’t have done that for you.

With my heart in my throat, I awkwardly stare at my screen, hating how he just watches me. Like he can see right through me.

I type in my number when prompted, simply following the directions for the new software.

“Eight o’clock. I’ll be outside of yours regardless of your decision.”

I wait for him to back away, his eyes pinned on me until the last minute, and then I sag back in my office chair, blowing out a heavy breath, desperate to claw back a little of the control I’ve fought so hard for all day.

When my phone pings, I sigh and reach for it on my desk, expecting another pleading message from my mum.

Only it’s not from my mum.

---