Page 71 of Frozen Flames

Claire with her updos and her smile, and her fucking words.

“Forget about Claire.” I clear my throat. “We can figure out everything in the morning. I know she wants to talk to you, to apologize. We can put this behind us.”

“We’re different people now. We want different things.”

Keep trying.

“Why’re you doing this? I told you I’d try!” I don’t even recognize my own voice as I wheel backward, feeling my walls going up, caging my thoughts and emotions within their steel.

The perfect prison.

“You’re too late, Harvey!”

No, no.

“Gemma, I-I said I’m sorry.”

“I’m going to change, then make dinner. I don’t want to make a rash decision. I need time. I’ll stay here until we figure it out, but we need time, Harv.”

Every word is a blow to my self-esteem. A blow to my love for this woman.

I laugh viciously. “Fuck this.” I leave and head to my room in a panic, slamming the door.

I keep repeating her words, and Henrik’s and Claire’s words, about time. But I don’t have time.

Time, time, time.

I can feel it.

If I don’t do something now, I’ll lose her. She’ll slip through my fingers the same way she’s been doing for far too long.

It’s hard to breathe again, and once more, I’m reminded of how shitty I feel around Gemma, as we’re always fighting. Tears slide down my face, and I wipe them away.

Remember what we used to have.

Remember how she was your rock during your darkest times.

Hen and Gemma were there for me when it felt like no one else was.

Then, hastily, I head to her room, barging inside.

“I can’t wait. I need to know… I’ll try. I’ll try harder. I promise. Gemma, please,please, Gemma, give us another try.” Imove to her. “I can’t lose you.” I bury my head in her stomach, my arms wrapping tightly around her waist.

It feels nice.

It feels amazing.

I’ve missed her smell. Her touch.

Even with that, though, deep down, there’s something so wrong about this. But then I think of how I felt when she left.

All alone.

Without Gemma.

I lift my head and look into her eyes before seeing the indecisiveness pass through them.

So I wheel back, waiting for her response, hating the way she’s staring at me as the seconds tick by.

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