Page 13 of Ballrooms & Blackmail

“Set a timer, River,” Brooks says. “I’ll make sure they come out on time.”

Another blip of hesitation before she nods. “I’ll just finish the dishes?—”

“I can do them,” he says.

She freezes. “I couldn’t ask you to?—”

“You aren’t.”

“But—”

I cut the argument short by reaching forward for the bowl.

Unfortunately, I do it without thinking and I do it too fast and?—

She jerks back, putting distance between us.

Fuck.

“Sorry,” I whisper. “I?—”

Pink spreads on her cheeks, and her eyes are deliberately avoiding mine again. “It’s fine.” She looks at Brooks. “I’ll just grab my stuff and head out.” Her gaze flashes to mine then skates away just as quickly, but she doesn’t say anything.

I almost stop her.

God knows I want to.

But instead, I lock myself in place, let her slip by me even as something cold and ugly settles beneath my ribs.

I know exactly what kind of man teaches a woman to flinch like that.

I was that man.

River walks away, and I watch her smile shakily at Brooks then hug Briar, all while tension still lingers visibly in her frame.

Brooks’s eyes hit mine.

And I see the same darkness in his as I know resides in mine.

“I…”

This time I’m the one who jerks in surprise.

I turn to see River standing back beside me.

“Um…” A shake of her head before she finishes abruptly, “Here.” She shoves a plastic bag at me and then spins on her heel, hurrying toward the front door and disappearing through it.

I stare down at the bag, at what’s in the bag, and feel something hitch in my chest.

It’s a cookie?—

A sugar cookie.

Without a hint of chocolate in sight.

“I’ll be right back,” I tell Brooks and Briar, moving after her.

But I don’t make it to her before the elevator door closes.