Page 50 of Breaking Point

“It was time,” I tell him easily, and it’s the truth. I feel lighter since I let it go.

Skar’s next question is careful, cautious: “It has nothing to do with a certain new client?”

I want to be angry at the implication, but I know that would only further his point.

It doesn’t have anything to do with Olivia.

But that doesn’t change the fact that I’ve never felt this… anything toward anyone.

I don’t know what to call it. It’s past indifference.Beyond impassive.

I’m curious.

I expected her to be the same flowery, ray-of-sunshine I met at Skar’s wedding. No more than two minutes alone with her, and I knew she was the kind of person to smile at you, tell you what you want to hear, and make you feel like she was hanging the moon just for sparing a minute.

Instead…

I don’t let myself finish that thought.

“Winter died… and I was tired of feeling like I died with her.” I swallow down another sip of water. “Or guilty for living without her.” I clear my throat, narrowing my eyes at him. “It doesn’t have to do with Olivia.”

He lifts his shoulders in silent admission of defeat. “I know.” He claps my shoulders as he passes. “For the record, it wouldn’t matter if it did.”

“Where are you headed?” I call as he heads for the door.

“Home,” he calls. “Aleks is moving out soon, and Charlie’s helping him pack.

I raise a brow at that. “Since when did he have any interest in moving out?”

Aleks has always been a homebody- and I’ve always assumed he’d stay home and milk his inheritance for as long as possible.

“Since he got a fiancée.” He frowns.

There’s few people in Westos Skar would approve of, and I have a hard time imagining he’s alright with all of this.

“Do we like her?” I ask though from what I remember of her from the party, I already know my answer.

Skar merely throws a look over his shoulder before throwing a mock salute as goodbye and pushing through the door. I have my answer then- and I make it a point to look more into Sofia Vercelli later tonight.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Crew

Olivia’s got the progression of a wedding down to a science. Watching her coach a bride down the aisle is a fascination in itself.

I feel at ease knowing Taylor’s here tonight too. He’s close to Olivia ahead of me, watching as one of the bridesmaids gives a speech. Through my earpiece, I’ve heard snippets of their conversation all night.

Taylor’s more friendly than I am. I like to think we balance each other out. When he leans down and whispers some joke under his breath, her shoulders shake on a silent laugh.

He’s been quietly updating me while I’ve hung behind and watched our surroundings. It's not likely something will happen tonight. But I’m not willing to chance it. The room erupts in applause as a speech ends and music fills the hall.

Everyone stands to dance, and as Olivia and Taylor slowly file away from the tables, I hear Taylor’s voice over the headpiece: “Guy at 12:00. Headed this way.”

When I spot him, it takes too much effort not to sigh.

Chase Sutherland.

Good god, is this guy everywhere?

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