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“This feels like you’re keeping us somewhere safe,” she said.

“I am.”

“Safe for you?”

“For both of us.” I held her gaze. “We can enjoy the weekend without digging through everything that destroyed us.”

“And wanting me feels safe?”

“No.” My eyes dropped to her mouth. “Wanting you has never been safe. It’s simply the one thing neither of us has to explain.”

“So, we don’t talk about what this means.”

“Not tonight.”

“We only let it happen?”

“If you can accept that it doesn’t come with a promise.”

Charm took a slow drink without looking away. “I can accept what you’re willing to give me.”

“Good.”

“That doesn’t mean I won’t want more.”

“I already know you do.”

Charm took a drink of water without looking away. “Good to know.”

“I’m trying to communicate clearly.”

“I appreciate your commitment to personal growth.”

“I’m proud of myself.”

“I’m sure you are.”

A few seats away, Lyric laughed at something Knox said and shifted her chair closer to the Bennett brothers. Her hand landed against Lyon’s forearm while she asked about his son, then moved to Kellen’s shoulder when she pulled him into the conversation.

The performance wasn’t subtle enough to qualify as flirting. Lyric had decided every available Bennett deserved an audition.

Briggs saw it.

His fork paused above his plate before he resumed eating, his expression smoothing into an indifference none of us believed. Lyric glanced toward him to make sure the performance landed, then leaned closer to Lyon when Briggs refused to react.

Charm followed my attention. “She wants him jealous.”

“She wants everyone looking at her.”

“Briggs is looking.”

“He deserves better.”

Charm’s mouth tightened. “He has to decide that.”

I looked toward her. “You don’t like her.”

“I’ve met napkins with more substance.”