Page 54 of The Silent War

“I don’t expect that. I’m fine.”

“I’m not,” I cut back. “We’re not. We need to know you’re okay.”

She sighed, eyes softening. “I don’t understand you.” The sentence trailed off. She pressed her lips together, then let out a breath. “But it’s been… nice. Seeing you again.”

Nice.

The word scraped like glass. Insulting. I didn’t want to be nice. Didn’t want to be a pleasantry she could file away with polite conversations and dynasty dinners. But it was better than hate.

A better man would take the compliment. Smile. Leave it at that.

But I wasn’t better.

I touched her cheek, slow, my thumb tracing the soft curve of her cheekbone. My other hand cupped the other side of her face, tilting her toward me.

“It’s been nice?” I repeated, voice low, dropping softer as I leaned in. “Really, baby… just nice?”

She nodded, her beautiful big eyes locked with mine, “Don’t you agree it’s… nice to see each other again?”

“Nice isn’t the word I’d use. No,” I smiled, but it wasn’t a smile. It was hunger. “It’s been oxygen.”

Her eyes widened.

“We’ve missed you,” I traced her cheek again, “But I wish it wasn’t like this. Not you hurt. Not a hospital bed.”

“Let me guess… you had seven different plans of how we would?”

“Not seven.” I moved slightly closer, my other hand moving to the back of her neck, “Endless. Until this.” I paused. “Until now.”

“This…”

I smiled, slow, because her nervous inhale gave her away. “You looking at me. Not through me.” My thumb stroked her neck, feeling her pulse. “We really fucking missed you, baby.”

Her sigh broke soft, and her uninjured hand came to cover mine.

“Bastion’s bringing your lunch today,” I said, softer, just to ground us both.

She leaned a fraction closer. My chest tightened, because I wanted to read it as invitation—wanted to believe she was asking me to close the space, to kiss her.

“Okay,” she whispered. “I’ll give you my new number.” Her fingers squeezed mine. “But no pressure. If you don’t use it… I don’t want you messaging me because you feel like you have to.”

“Good girl,” I murmured, pressing a kiss against the side of her head.

Her breath hitched. I felt it. Heard it. Blood rushed through me, proof I still affected her the way she’d always undone me.

“Luca,” she said, my name soft.

“Yeah, baby.”

“Send a message. This time. Please.”

My brow furrowed. I tilted her face back toward me.

“When the friendship is over? You two are done. Send a message.”

“Friendship?”

“That’s what this is.” Her eyes didn’t leave mine. “A friendship.”