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“Go away.”

I open the door.

Charm stands near the windows wearing a white robe tied tightly around her waist. Her dress lies across the back of a chair, and the makeup she repaired for dinner has been scrubbed from her face. Her eyes are swollen from crying. My jacket rests in a pile on the bed as though she removed it and threw it before the warmth could remind her who placed it around her shoulders.

“You were told to go away.”

“I heard you.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Because Rider said you had questions.”

“I don’t have any questions.”

“That’s convenient. He said you had several.”

She folds her arms. “Did he also report everything I said?”

“He told me you were upset.”

“I’m not upset.”

“You’ve been crying.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m upset.”

“It usually narrows the possibilities.”

Her expression hardens. “I’m glad you find this funny.”

“I don’t find anything about tonight funny.”

“No? You seemed perfectly comfortable staying outside.”

“I was with Briggs.”

“I know.”

“He just discovered the woman he loved had been cheating on him for years.”

“I know what happened, Ryan.”

“Then why are you saying I should’ve left him?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You’re pissed I didn’t chase you.”

“I never asked you to.”

“You didn’t have to. You ran, and now you’re standing here making my decision to stay with him part of what I apparently did wrong.”

Charm turns toward the windows. “I don’t want to fight with you.”

“Then tell me what you do want.”

“I want to sleep.”