He felt something twist in his chest, guilt, heavy and sudden.
He wasn't the only one having a rough night. She was too. Maybe even worse.
His shoulders eased, the tension slowly bleeding out of him as he exhaled. "I'm sorry. I just…"
He stopped himself.
No. He couldn't tell her the real reason he was upset. He couldn't admit jealousy. That was a direct violation of the terms of their contract. It would end everything. Besides, now was the worst time to talk out of script. They seemed to have an audience.
"You just what?" Olaedo asked, her voice smaller now. The fire in her tone dimmed into warm embers. Her anger was slipping away too, fading as she searched his face.
It was true what people said, soft answers could calm even the hottest fire. She knew this. She had lived it. But in the heat of the moment, she had forgotten. Now, hearing the sudden gentleness in his tone, her defenses slowly slipped down.
