A muscle twitched in his jaw.
“I’ve got you,” she added. “I’ll keep you safe.” A small smile. “Well, you can keep us safe, but I’ll cheer and kick anyone that comes in range.”
“I will keep us safe,” he replied, with a coldness that alluded to something darker.
It made her hesitate. “Good,” she said cautiously. “Whatever you decide, I have your back.” She hoped she wouldn’t regret that promise. “I’m here when you’re ready.”
He shifted beneath her, body tensing. “Thank you.” The words sounded like they’d been pulled from him.
“Sure,” she said, reminding herself to be patient. “Anything I can do, you just have to ask.”
He didn’t respond, and that seemed enough. She’d delivered her message, and didn’t want to push him. She rose from his lap, turning away while she composed her expression and hid her hurt.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m making it difficult, and I know that.”
“Not at all.”
He laughed, short and dry. “We both know that was a lie, but thank you for…” He paused, like it was difficult to say the words. “…your support.”
“It’s not just support, Antoine, it’s love. You don’t need support—you’re strong, and in time you’ll conquer this by yourself.” She offered him a small smile. “Meanwhile, if you need anyone with you when you take a bath or shower, well, I volunteer.”
He nodded curtly with no hint of the playfulness that had always existed. But it would return. She had to believe that.
He rose from the chair and walked to the door, then paused with one hand on the handle, turning back to her. “Would you like to go on a date?”
“What?” That wasn’t what she’d expected him to say. “I mean, yes. Please. That sounds lovely.” It sounded like hell if he was going to be like this, but that wasn’t the point.
“Tonight?”
The idea was growing on her. Maybe a date was what they needed. “I’ll look forward to it.”
“Good. Then I will get some sleep.”
Eve waited on the other side of the door, not a coffee cup in sight. She stepped back, giving him room, then walked in once he’d left, closing the door once more. “Well?”
“He asked me on a date.”
“Good. Take her somewhere nice, Antoine. And now stop listening and leave us to talk in peace.”
Cally’s lips twitched in a smile. Eve always had that effect on her.
“At least he’s back,” she said quietly, once he’d had a chance to move out of earshot. “We achieved what we set out to do. Now it’s just a matter of time.”
“To be fair, it could’ve been a lot worse. He seems pretty sane for someone who wasn’t.”
“Well, quite.” Cally hugged herself, like the chill of Antoine’s presence still lingered in the air.
“He’s strong, though. ‘This too shall pass,’ as my mom used to say.”
“Yeah. You’re right. He’ll pull through.” Cally sighed. “I should take a shower and think about what I’m going to do today.”
“What you’re going to do is come shopping with me. We’re going to spend so much of your boyfriend’s money, he might even notice. Find you a nice dress, do your hair, get you ready for your date.”
Cally gave her a weak smile. “I don’t actually have access to his bank account, you know.”
“Well, shit. We should remedy that before he goes to sleep.”
“I don’t need to go shopping, I already—” She broke off as her phone rang, vibrating on the bedside table. She frowned at it, then glanced at Eve. “That’s not you, is it?”
