Page 174

Blushing, flustered, yet irritated, she smacks my chest with her palm, then lifts her head toward the ceiling.

“Oh God…” she groans, exasperated. “I don’t know what I’ve done in this life to end up in all these uncomfortable situations.”

This time, I don’t hold back—I laugh out loud, genuine and unrestrained.

She crosses her arms and stares at me with full-on reproach, utterly unimpressed by my reaction.

When I finally regain my composure, I study her closely and wait for her answer.

“Fine,” she says all of a sudden. “What the hell does it matter anyway?”

It sounds more like she’s talking to herself than to me, trying to convince her own mind to push the words out.

“I’m in love with you,” she finally confesses, locking eyes with me, her expression grave and unwavering. “Satisfied?”

I knew it.

Yes, I knew. I figured out long before Theo said the same thing back in my office.

That’s why what she did infuriated me even more—because I understood she was trying to run from what she feels for me, as if deciding I wasn’t worth those feelings.

And even though I knew, hearing it out loud—so honest, so raw, so direct—knocks the breath out of me. For the first time, the world narrows to a single point, a confession, a woman. Her.

“Isn’t that going to get in the way of your mission to find a perfect man? A husband?” I ask, ironically.

If looks could kill, I’d already be on the floor.

“Seriously?” she asks, staring at the ceiling, as if pleading for strength.

I watch her, entertained.

“You really thought it was okay for me to stay a virgin until twenty-eight,” she continues, fire in her voice, “only to sleep with and fall in love with this?”

I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much in my entire life as I have since knowing Thalia like this. There are moments when I can’t predict her next move, and it fascinates me endlessly.

“I don’t think you’re allowed to discuss your sex life with God, Thalia,” I tell her, trying to sound serious.

“You’re absolutely insufferable,” she snaps, frustration lacing her words.

“And yet, you fell in love with me,” I reply, a deliberate smirk spreading across my face.

Her expression changes instantly—serious, frightened, as if a shadow passes through her.

“Oh my God. I won’t be able to stay at Hartho,” she murmurs, staring over my shoulder, lost somewhere far from this room.

What? What the hell is she thinking?

“I’ll have to quit my job, and I’ll have to stay away from the group for a while,” she continues, almost in a trance. “At least until I get used to the idea.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask, confused, pulling her back from the mental abyss she drifted into.

She looks at me as if only now remembering I’m right here.

“I can’t stay close to you in this situation,” she says, honest, unfiltered. “I tried, and it was hard even when you weren’t at the office or at the meet-ups with the others…” She keeps going, unwavering.

Amused, I let her finish.

“I lost control last night over one erotic conversation you had with another woman. I won’t be able to sit here pretending everything’s fine while you go back to your old life.”