Page 26 of When the Storm Breaks
“Tell me where.”
She hesitates, her hand lifting slowly, shaking slightly.
She points. “In between those. But a little higher.”
I nod, stretching up to place the ornament exactly where she wants it. My body brushes against hers as I move. And fuck, it’s too much.
I grab another ornament and lean down, my voice low next to her ear.
“And this one?”
Her breath catches.
“Over there,” she says softly. “Just above the last one.”
For the next twenty minutes, she points, I hang. No other words between us—just the quiet, thickening with every passing second.
Every time I lean in, her pulse jumps at the base of her neck. Every time she speaks, it’s softer.
Like she’s holding something back. Like she’s trying not to give in.
When it’s over, the table is empty. We both take a step back, looking at the tree.
“It’s better now,” she says quietly. Almost to herself.
I don’t answer. I don’t look at the tree. I look at her. Itisbetter. Whole again. For the first time in a long time, something feels right.
Almost immediately, she starts gathering her bags.
“I have to go,” she says quietly. “I just wanted to fix what I broke yesterday. Can you let Chase know?”
The mention of his name twists something in my gut, but I keepmy voice steady.
“Sure.”
I don’t expect her to turn back as she heads for the door, but she does. Her bright green eyes lock with mine.
“It was nice to finally meet you, Haiyden,” she says softly.
I freeze. The door clicks shut behind her, and the silence it leaves is deafening.
Chase’s voice cuts through it, probing. “You’re being a dick. A bigger one than usual. What the hell is your problem?”
I can’t answer. The words are stuck in my throat.
I grab my jacket and head for the door, my voice flat. “Lock up when you’re done.”
The freezing air fights to clear the haze she left behind, but one unwelcome thought lingers.
She’s not trouble for Chase.
She’s trouble for me.
Chapter 11
Calla
I didn’t leave my apartment yesterday. I’m not sure why—I just couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed.
