Page 175 of Power Play

“Maybe she isn’t ready,” Rider offered.

“That’s the fucking problem.”

Briggs’s expression lost some of its humor. “You think she’s hiding you.”

“I think she wants me when nobody else gets a vote. I don’t know what happens when her father enters the room or her mother starts asking questions. She hasn’t even told Bliss and Aura, and those are the two people she trusts more than anyone.”

Cade leaned forward. “Do you want me to ask Bliss?”

I laughed. “Fuck no. I don’t need Bliss involved unless Charm decides she wants her involved. This isn’t an investigation.”

“Then don’t treat the absence of information like proof.”

“That sounds reasonable when it isn’t your heart standing in the middle of it.”

Cade held my gaze. “You’re right.”

The immediate answer pulled some of the fight out of me.

I looked down at my phone again.

“I’m already falling for her. If this ends, it’s better now than after I fall any harder.”

The words sounded logical. They felt like complete bullshit.

I was already too deep for the timing to protect me. Charm had my mother’s dictionary and a notebook filled with words I had chosen for her. Her hair tie lived around my lamp, her mug sat beside my sink, and I knew what her apartment looked like when she relaxed enough to stop arranging it.

Three days without the full force of her inside my life had made everything feel wrong.

Briggs rubbed both hands over his thighs. “For whatever it’s worth, she looks at you like she wants to climb inside your skin.”

“That’s desire.”

“You’re really committed to ruining compliments tonight.”

“I need more than desire from her.”

Cade nodded. “Then keep the boundary. Just don’t convince yourself you know her answer before she gives it.”

I checked the time on my phone. “The bus leaves in an hour.”

“You coming for a beer?” Easton asked.

“One. I’ve got enough time.”

I reached into my back pocket for my wallet and found nothing.

“Fucking hell.”

Briggs’s brows lifted. “What?”

“My wallet is upstairs.”

Cade gestured toward the elevators. “Go get it. We’ll wait.”

I adjusted the duffel on my shoulder. “I need to grab my other bag anyway.”

Briggs pointed after me as I started walking. “If you’re gone longer than ten minutes, I’m drinking yours.”