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I take a deep breath. "Fine, but only if you promise to come over tonight."
"Not to talk."
"Yes to talk." I lighten my grip and take another step towards her. "I'm not going to let you lock me out."
Her voice is barely a whisper. "I don't owe you anything."
"So do it because you love me. Or because you know how much it would mean to me." I wrap my arms around her waist. "Or because you think I'm hot."
She lets out a tiny laugh. "I'll consider it."
"I'll do anything I can to help you."
"Okay." She nods. "But can we talk about it later?"
"Later tonight?"
"Okay. Later tonight."
She takes my hand, and we walk back to the car in silence.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Alyssa is sitting on the edge of the pool. Her dress is hiked up to her thighs and her legs are dangling in the water. She doesn't look up when I step into the backyard. She keeps her attention on the clear blue water.
The sky is streaked with the red glow of sunset. It's dim, dim enough that the pool lights are illuminating the water with a pleasant glow. The light dances on her face, but I can't find the beauty in it. All I see is how much she hurts.
"Hey," I say.
She runs her fingers over the hem of her dress. "Hey yourself."
"I have a terrible problem."
"Oh yeah?"
"Mhmm." I step into the backyard. "I'd like to sit next to you, but I'm still in my suit."
She smirks. "You never have to ask my permission to take your clothes off."
But even the idea of me taking my clothes off doesn't rouse her attention. Her eyes stay on the pool. Her hands stay on her dress.
I strip to my boxers and leave my clothes in a pile on the floor. The evening air is cool, but it feels good against my skin, like it's waking me up.
I move to the pool and sit next to her. She turns her gaze to me, looking me up and down like she wouldn't dare miss a chance to see me half-naked. She starts at my eyes and works her way to my toes.
She laughs. "Nice socks."
"This is my seduction outfit."
She smiles. Her eyes are bright. "It's working."
I slip my feet, socks and all, into the water. She laughs again, and it's like some of the fog surrounding her has lifted.
Like she's going to be okay.
"I'm sorry about this morning. I did want to talk to you about it. I do." She pulls at her dress.
"We can talk now."
