Page 70 of Eternal

There’s a moment where she doesn’t say anything, and then, gently: “What’s going on between you two? You spend so much time together…”

I let out a heavy sigh, leaning back in my chair, still trying to wrap my head around it all.

“Nothing really happened, Kat, that’s the problem.

He’s been there for me, more than anyone else has.

But… There's something about the way he looks at me, the way he touches me, it drives me crazy. But it’s like…

he’s holding back, waiting for something. ”

I turn back to her, my eyes drifting past her shoulder to the garden. Vik is out there, tossing something for Michka and Notch, half-distracted by his phone but still smiling faintly at their chaos.

And all I can think about is the photo I sent, the one where Damir asked me if I missed him.

I did, I still do.

Kat leans in, her eyes practically glowing with curiosity, clearly not expecting this level of talking from me. “So, he’s just been teasing you? What, no kiss? No nothing?”

I shrug, feeling the weight of my emotions. “Yeah, exactly. It’s not like I haven’t wanted him, Kat. I did. And I think about it all the time, but I don’t know if it’s because of what he’s done for me, or if it’s something more.”

Kat stares at me, and I can see a small smile tugging at her lips. “Damn. You really like him, huh?”

I sigh again, throwing my head back. “I don’t know. I’m not even sure how to process it. I barely trust anyone, let alone him. But when he’s around, I feel like everything else fades away. It’s not just the attraction, it’s… the way he makes me feel. Like I matter. It sounds crazy, right?”

Kat bites her lip, deep in thought for a moment. “I think you’re just scared. You’re not used to anyone making you feel that way.”

“I don’t know how to handle someone taking care of me.”

“I know, I hate that. But I know you don’t want to fuck up something like this because you’re too scared to admit it.”

I let out a laugh, rolling my eyes. “You really think I can just… tell him that? I’m not exactly the ‘let’s talk about our feelings’ kind of girl.”

Kat shrugs, “Hey, if you’re serious about him, you better get over that, or, you know, you could make him work for it. That’s always fun too.”

I sit up straight again, feeling more conflicted than ever. “I don’t want to make him work for it. I just want him to stop holding back, I think… I think I need him to kiss me, and I think he knows it.”

Kat raises her eyebrows. “You're gonna wait for him to make the first move?”

I pause, biting my lip, thinking about everything that’s happened. “I don’t know. Maybe…”

Kat’s grin softens, her teasing tone replaced by something more sincere. “Hey, just promise me to not let fear stop you from going after what you want. You deserve it, Azra. You deserve someone who’s willing to fight for you, whether it’s him or someone else.”

I smile faintly, “I guess… I guess I’ll figure it out one way or another.”

Kat leans back in her chair, giving me a wink. “Hell yeah you will. And when you do, you better let me know all the juicy details.”

“I will. I promise.”

She smiles proudly and then she asks, “Apart from that, how do you feel?”

“Honestly… I think I need to just go after someone now.”

Kat nods slowly, like she understands, but she also knows me too well. “You’re looking for an outlet.”

I glance at her, my fingers tapping against my thigh. “There’s a name in my mom’s journal. A man she worked with before she died, a random asshole she wrote about. I might just go and visit him.”

Kat raises an eyebrow. “And you’re planning to do what, exactly?”

“What do you think?”

She sighs, setting her drink down. “Azra, you just found out about an entire underground trafficking ring. Maybe this isn’t the best time to go hunting for side quests.”

“I need to do something, I need to hurt someone who deserves it. If not, I’ll work forever on this case and lose my mind over it.”

She studies me for a long moment, then shrugs. “Fine. Just don’t get caught.”

Before I can respond, my phone vibrates against the table, and the name on the screen makes my stomach tighten. Damir.

I hesitate before answering, my voice steady. “Hey”

His voice is smooth, teasing. “Dinner tonight.”

I look around, see Kat smiling because she knew exactly who was on the other hand of the phone. I wanted to go back home and have a movie night today. And sleep. Yeah sleep, I do need that.

“I can’t.”

There’s a beat of silence, then, “Why?”

“I have something planned.”

“Cancel it.”

“ No .”

“Voron.” His tone drops just slightly, “Whatever it is, it can wait.”

“No, it can’t, partner .”

He exhales, a mix of frustration and amusement. “You know, for someone who likes to act all cold, you’re really bad at pretending you don’t want to see me.”

“You’re delusional.”

“Am I?” His voice is lower now, rougher. “Then why does your voice sound like that?”

I swallow hard, heat curling in my stomach. “Like what?”

“Like you want me to keep talking.”

I close my eyes briefly, fighting back the urge to give in, to let him have that small win.

“I’ll call you when I’m free, Damir.”

A pause, then, quietly like a promise, “Don’t make me wait too long, partner. I miss you.”

Me too.

The line goes dead, and I stare at my phone. Kat watches me with an infuriating grin. “You’re so fucked.”

I sigh, dragging a hand down my face. “ Yeah .”

And that’s the damn problem.