Chapter 66
FREYA
“Troja” Conpora voire dragged me back to the present, snapping me out of the fog that had clouded my thoughts.
“Yes. What?” I sat up straight trying not to cringe at the fact that I had zoned off. I had probably missed a major part of what he was saying because I couldn’t remember the last thing he said.
The morning. Noahs coming to the cafe, well it had left me disturbed Somewhere in me I could feel the panic rising with every second he spent there. He wasn’t abusive throughout our relationship just once. And there was no chance in hell where he could hit me in a cafe full of customers. But still I couldn’t shake the feeling off.
I thought I would handle it well. But abuse leaves behind trauma even if it’s not repeated. You don’t know the feeling unless you experience it. I did. “You are awfully distracted today” Connor observed, his sharp gaze steady.
I fidgeted under his scrutiny, trying to pull myself together. Tim sorry. “I trailed off not sure what answer to give him. I didn’t like sharing my personal problems with everyone but at the same time I didn’t want to be rude.
something wrong?” He asked, his face unreadable, almost clinical. To anyone else, it might have seemed like he didn’t care. But I knew better.
like Aiden–hard on the outside, but with layers that could surprise you if you paid enough attention.
I sighed, running my hand through my hair. “No. Everything is fine. I just had a morning.
I wasn’t sure he believed me.
but Connor was never one to push when he didn’t feel it was necessary. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, arms med. “Well you should go home.”
fine. I’ll pay full attention, I promise.” I raised my pinky in a playful attempt to diffuse the tension, hoping for even a flicker of Instead, he stared at me with that same stoic expression.
Go home. Take some rest. You need it I’ll email you the details. Get back to me whenever you can?
He had that the file which meant that this discussion was already shelved for the day. But still I hesitated, feeling a mix of relief and guilt. “You
Yeah. Now get out of here” His tone was final, leaving no room for debate.
“Okay I’ll see you” I said picking my bag and beelining for the door.
As I closed the door to his cabin, a storm of thoughts swirled in my n
plished anything I hadn’t been able to focus, let alone contribute, Connor wasn’t wrong. I wasn’t catching anything today, I was just… off.
mind. Frustration mixed with exhaustion. A trip wasted. The meeting hadn’t stepped into the elevator, exhaling deeply. Maybe I could go back to the cafe and see how Avery was holding up. The thought of baking something and sweet topped at me. Peanut butter brownies, maybe. Gia had been pestering me about them for over a week now, and I’d kept pushing it
The hum of the elevator was soothing, and I found myself already mentally mapping out my afternoon. That’s when my phone buzzed, the sharp sounel beraking the quiet. I fumbled in my bag, pulling it out.
The Bo
the other end surprised me
I couldnt think of a reason why he would call me. Especially after the confrontation on the day after his mother’s surgery. He had left the
funuing and I hadn’t thought he’d reach out so Maoni:
i need to talk to your
or was unfamiliar, Sexious, almost urgent, but with an undercurrent of something I couldn’t quite place. Still, I felt a knot tighten
“To pers” He persand, and I add hear the edge in his voire
My vowce was sharper tow, a mix of curiosity and irritation. What could possibly be so urgent that it couldn’t be said over the
“Why” My irmation grew I hated being kept in pene, gertally when I was already weddin
imperice,
“Hold you. Because I need to talk to you?
“Whatever it is, can it wait!” I asked, feeling the weight of the day see a “ly here the ATY WAY
for me aga
It was true. I wanted to bake something, to four myself in the simple dyed wring me down the wonderf
of murine
“Well, it can’t wait I need to talk now” He said, his voice pietre
my mana
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my one. This wasn’t hirew I warded to end why was safety re down. “You send me a location, or I will” He added, his words cutting through my
“Silverbirch Park” I said after a beat. I didn’t want to risk any kind of war at th reputation there
be there in fifteen minutes” He replied, and the line went dead hetoned way anything
As I put my phone back in my bag my mind leared with worse What could be penalty should frir bad out what he needs. The uncertainty left a sour taste in my mouths. I presse elevator wall, trying to steady my thoughts. Whatever that
