Page 66 of King of My Heart

“Okay, yes. Thank you, Jule.”

“Yeah, whatever,” he murmured. “Bye.”

“Bye.” I waited for him to hung up, and as I lowered the phone from my ear, I looked up at Caspian and smiled gently. “He said he’ll think about it. About meeting you.”

He exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. His hands, which were now clean, clenched into fists for a brief moment before relaxing.

“That’s…something,” he said at last, his voice careful, measured. “It’s better than nothing.”

I nodded, searching his face. “It is. It’s a step.”

He gave me a faint smile. “You’re persistent, you know that?”

I let out a soft laugh. “I’ve been told.”

He took a step closer and placed his right hand on my hip, pulling me to him. “I just don’t know what I’d even say to him. Where to start. It’s been so long.”

I pushed my phone into my back pocket and rested my hands on his chest, gently picking at his shirt’s fabric. “You don’t have to figure that out right now. Just be open when the time comes.”

He glanced down at me, his lips pressing together. “I don’t want to get my hopes up.”

“I know.” And I did. Hope was dangerous. But it was also the only way forward. “You’re not alone. I’m here.”

Caspian sighed again, heavier this time, but not in frustration. “I know. And I’m thankful for you.”

He leaned down to kiss me, and I savored the moment.

When he pulled away, his forehead rested against mine, his breath warm and steady. For a few precious seconds, we stayed like that—silent, connected, caught in the fragile space between uncertainty and hope.

Then, with a final exhale, Caspian straightened. “I’ll make us dinner.”

I nodded, threading my fingers through his. “I’ll help.”

***

It took Julian exactly eight hours to agree to that meet-up.

Eight hours, and it was the middle of the night when he had texted.

I saw his message the next morning, and without giving him a chance to change his mind, I told him that Caspian and I would be on our way the same afternoon.

It was a twelve-hour drive to Burlington, and Caspian decided to stop halfway into the drive to sleep in a small town motel, then we’d get back on the road the next morning.

Caspian had been quiet throughout most of the drive. It wasn’t unlike him to keep to himself, but most times, he didn’t have a reason to. This trip made him nervous, though. Hell, I was nervous too. This wasn’t just a visit. It was a reckoning.

My mind raced with possibilities. Would Julian admit what he had done or keep pretending? Would he even give Caspian a chance to speak? Anything could happen, but Caspian wasn’t alone. He had me right by his side.

By the time we pulled into the apartment complex’s parking lot, my hands felt clammy. But in a way, it felt good to be back. Even if a part of my life I didn’t want to pursue was here.

I looked over at Caspian and smiled tightly, reaching for his hand to squeeze it. “I’m right here. If he’s not able to have a mature conversation, we’ll just leave.”

Which would be counterproductive. But at least we tried.

He studied our hands, turning his around so his palm was facing mine. I slid my fingers through his, interlocking them. He gave a quick nod before meeting my gaze. “Okay. Sounds like a plan.”

I squeezed his hand once more before we both stepped out of the car. With one more glance at Caspian, we stepped forward to get to the entrance.

It was open, so we headed up to the second floor where Julian’s apartment was located.

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