Page 66 of A Sinful Gravity

Someone knocked.

"Come in."

The door opened. Not an assistant, not a Royal Ballet colleague—

Cassian.

My body went rigid. The ice pack nearly slipped from my hand.

"What are you doing here?"

"I know the artistic director here." He stood in the doorway, not stepping inside. "Sponsored one of their tours a few years back."

I didn't want to talk to him. I gathered my things, heading for the rehearsal hall.

"Luna." He called my name softly. None of that domineering obsession from that night—just careful, tentative testing.

I stopped, looked at him coldly. "Cassian, if you're here to repeat that 'legal obligation' speech, we have nothing to discuss."

"I came to apologize."

"You already apologized."

"Not enough." He paused. "That night, I lost control again. I promised I wouldn't, but... I broke my word."

I turned away, wouldn't look at him.

"Luna, I know you don't trust me." He took two steps forward but stopped six feet away. "I'm not asking you to. But I want to have one real conversation with you. Just one. After that, whatever you decide—I'll accept it."

I said nothing.

He stood there, waiting.

Just as I was about to refuse, Seb's voice came from the doorway.

"Luna, are you okay? I heard about your ankle—"

He saw Cassian, froze, then looked at me.

"Need me to stay?"

I looked at him, then at Cassian.

Cassian stood aside, said nothing, just took a deep breath.

Seb seemed to understand. He came over, crouched beside me, and lowered his voice.

"Do you want to talk to him?"

"I don't know."

Seb considered this and spoke softly. "Luna, maybe you two need a proper goodbye. Avoiding this forever isn't the answer. Laila needs a peaceful environment, too."

I looked up at Seb. Always so rational. Even after his unpleasant encounter with Cassian, he maintained that reassuring gentlemanly composure.

I pressed my lips together. Finally, I sighed and nodded.

Seb stood. "I'll drive you home tonight."