Page 60 of The Caress

We’re done.

Again.

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

KEIR

Numb.

That’s what I feel. Nothing at all, like I’m floating in a room temperature pool that goes on endlessly.

I sit and stare out the window at my Glasgow office, unable to focus on anything. My desk is piled high with contracts and memos. But I have turned my back on them—on all my work, really.

How am I supposed to get anything done when I feel so…

What’s the word?

I struggle to string together words that form a coherent sentence. I just keep thinking about the sheer disappointment on Ella’s face when she said her final words to me.

"I should go."

The memory makes me feel…

Numb.

When the door to my office slams open, I abruptly spin in my chair. A nasty rebuke is already on my lips toward the person who dared to interrupt my solitude.

But then I see Saffron striding through the door, her expression one of contempt. And that gives me pause.

What does Saffron have to be mad about, I wonder? In the next second, Saffron tosses her long hair and fixes me with a glare.

"This is what you are doing? You let Ella go back to America just so that you could stare wistfully out the window?"

Almost of their own volition, my brows arch. "What?"

Saffron marches right up to my desk, landing her hand on it with a bang.

"You are such an unbelievable moron. You know that, right?"

I rock back in my seat, smoothing my tie, and give her a sour look.

"And what is it that I’m supposed to be doing? Ella will get over me. She’s young. She’s smart. She’s beautiful. God knows she has talent. She’s got everything going for her. If anything, you should feel sorry forme. I’m not as lucky."

"Do you even hear yourself when you talk?" Saffron makes a dismissive gesture. "You sound like an idiot. For God's sake, you are a frigging billionaire. And, may I add, a very handsome and clever one at that."

That gives me pause. "I’m not really interested in having my sister list my endowments, Saffron. I would rather go back to staring out the window."

She makes a sound of frustration and slaps the desk with her palm again. "Keiran! I’m trying to tell you something, you petulant child."

I shoot her a glare but remain silent. Clearly my little sister has something to get off her chest.

She leans forward over the desk, her gaze direct and intense. "Ella wanted you to tell her that you love her. She wanted to see a grand gesture, the moment where you get down on your knees and beg her to stay. I don’t understand why that concept is so hard to understand. It’s a bit of a mystery why you didn’t just tell her that you can’t live without her."

My mouth opens, but no words come out at first. I gape at Saffron.

Eventually, I come up with, "Ella wanted a grand gesture? Says who?"

"You really are the most simple-minded person. Literally every sappy movie since the beginning of time says that there has to be a grand gesture." Folding her arms across her chest, she gives me a hard look. "Why didn’t you tell Ella how you feel?"

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