Page 78 of Frozen Flames

I look up and swallow, knowing I’m in too deep. I don’t know what the future will bring. I have no idea which woman to be with.

Stefan makes me perform different exercises this time, and I’m dripping sweat by the time I’m done. I nap when we get home, while Gemma and Hen hang out, before we order pizza and watch TV together at night.

The last few days have been completely different than last weekend—it’s almost hard to wrap my head around it.

“Can I talk to you for a minute?” Gemma asks as I’m heading to my room once Henrik’s gone.

“Sure,” I answer, even though it’s the last thing I want to do. I’ve been with people all day, and I need the night to unwind.

“Did Claire tell you?”

My heart starts pounding without warning. “Tell me what?” I ask, wishing I knew what thehellshe was talking about.

“I met with her yesterday for lunch.”

Well, imagine my fucking surprise.

So that’s why Claire took off early. It’s probably why she called me later, to warn me, though I don’t get why she didn’t tell me beforehand. I mean, we literally spent half the day together.

Women and their secrets, I swear to God.

“I wouldn’t know.” I’m dying inside. “I didn’t answer her call yesterday.”

“Yeah, well…she apologized and said she’ll keep things professional from now on.” I watch her stare ahead, pushing her hair behind her ear. “I think it’s time to reduce her hours.I think…I think you’re more independent than you give yourself credit for.”

“What?” I chuckle. “Whatdid you say?”

“Harvey, she doesn’t need to hang out with you all day.”

“Why do you care if she’s here? Are you going to quit your job, hmm? Stay away from your boss?”

She doesn’t answer. Instead, she gives me a slow, disbelieving headshake, and I know that it means she thinks I’m being silly with my questions.

“It’s not the same thing.”

“Are you kidding me? Claire stays. End of discussion.”

She gets up from the couch, balling her fists at her side. “Why am I here? Why did you beg me to give you another chance if you can’t let her go?”

That’s a good fucking question—I don’t know.

Why did she have to go and ruin the night?

I scoff, ruffling my hair with my hand. “I’m doing better with her help.” It’s not a lie—I am. I probably wouldn’t have progressed as fast without her daily exercises.

I’m stronger physically, muscle-wise.

And mentally because…well, other reasons, clearly.

“I just asked you to reduce her hours!”

I shake my head because, fuck, I’m a piece of shit and I know it, yet I can’t let her go. “Then she might quit. And besides, I’m not okay with that arrangement, not unless you quit your job.”

We both know she won’t.

“You know what, Harvey?” Her voice cracks, and it breaks something inside of me. “I need this job.”

She goes to leave, but I catch her hand at the last second. “Don’t—don’t fight me on this. I needyou.”

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