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Kassandra’s knock made his heart jump, but…he could do this.
He would do this.
He knew how to empathize when he was stressed. He understood completely how to not be selfish when he was having an emotional moment. He absolutely had practice in that regard.
He one hundred percent had not spent a majority of his life utterly alone or navigating social situations that were, under most standards, less than normal.
Why, the last time he’d felt like this in front of someone, it had been Castor. And that swear word had suggested arson.
And.
You know.
Pollux had taken him up on that.
Screaming into crackling flames in the dead of winter with Castor held a priceless place in Pollux’s heart.
He was certain Kassandra would be completely open to such a solution as well.
And he would appreciate it if his mind ceased its sarcasm at once.
Kassandra knocked again while Pollux was considering returning to his room and feigning ill.
Through the sheer force of an impulse decision, he opened the door. “My bee no longer smells like you, and I’m having a nervous breakdown. Please understand that I am deeply sorry about this afternoon, but I may be unable to express myself or my regret in a manner that you deserve at this time. Once I have gathered myself and my thoughts, you can anticipate a letter from me, that I will recite upon request to assure you I am not attempting to lie in text.”
His beautiful mate stared at him. She looked at his bee. She glanced behind him. Then she took his hand. Her skin was warm against the evening air, and it did something to him as she fixed her gaze on his and stated, clearly, “There’s nothing you need to apologize for, Pollux.”
“But I failed you.”
“No, you didn’t. Stuff happens. This isn’t the usual stuff that happens, but it’s still just stuff.” Her brows bent as she watched him, earnestly. “I’ve been imagining how it feels to be in your skin ever since you left, and it’s cruel, Pollux. It is cruel that the universe built you with so much care and so few outlets for it. You’ve been trying so hard from the moment we met to do everything right, regardless of how afraid and confused you are inside.” A small, real smile lifted Kassandra’s lips as she cupped his cheek with her free hand. “Isn’t it funny? How much of a hypocrite you are.”
Behind him, Alexios exhaled a laugh and swore.
Pollux’s mind blanked as his body felt his dear sweet mate’s words like a knife, impaling each of his vital organs.
Kassandra’s head shook as her thumb swiped over his cheek. Sweetly, she turned her attention beyond him and said, “Meda, sweetie, I’m taking your father away for a bit. Act responsibly in the absence of a reliable adult.”
“Hey,” Alexios stated.
She turned on her heel. “I said what I said.” And, with that, she pulled Pollux out of his house and dragged him to her car.
Chapter 34
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Falling in love is better with pizza.
“What…is going on?” Pollux asks as I return to the car with a Garden Pizza from Marco’s.
I set the box in his lap, and to accommodate it he moves the angry bee he hasn’t stopped clutching during the entire silent drive here. “Remember last week when I said we should get dinner sometime?” I ask.
He stares at the logo on the box. “I…recall.”
“It is sometime. This is dinner.”
Starting up my car again, I take us out of town, onto the highway, and to the nearest overlook. It’s late, and cold, so the small parking lot is completely empty, leaving just us to peer at a vastness of mountains and navy black sky scattered with stars.
“Before I forget.” I pull his phone out of the center console and pass it to him. “Ignore the text where I ask if you’re okay because I forgot I had your phone.”
