“In my office.” He cocked his head in the direction of the hallway. “In twenty minutes, so it doesn’t look suspicious.”

The fact we hadn’t been caught so far just went to show that people were really, mostly, self-centered pricks. Because I didn’t hide my interest very well. Sure, we hadn’t spoken, hung out, or made out with each other in the hallways. But my eyes didn’t leave any room for doubt. When I saw him—they were hungry.

He disappeared down the corridor, giving me some much needed time to collect my thoughts and hair into a messy bun, and then I walked over and knocked on his door.

“Come in.”

I closed the door behind me, leaning against it with my hands tucked behind my back. I gravitated toward him like he was the sun. A beautiful pleasure conceived by nature that could very well kill you if you got too close. He looked at me like I was the moon. Pale and lonely and so far away.

“Why do they call you The Mute?” I asked. Finally. I’d been meaning to do it ages ago, but it never felt right. Trent looked to be in a good mood today. I was going to capitalize on that while we were still on speaking terms.

“Isn’t it obvious?” He leaned back in his chair, looking powerful and stern. “I hardly fucking talk, Edie.”

He had no problem talking to me. “Yes, but have you always been like this, or is that something that…?”

“Happened after Luna’s mother ran away? Nope, I was always quiet.”

“Any reason for that?”

“I don’t enjoy small talk, or gossip, or anything in-between. I talk for a purpose. Tell me, Edie, is there a point to this conversation, or are you done wasting my time?”

I frowned. “Why did you call me to come here? You’re obviously in one of your moods.”

“I was thinking more along the lines of something dirty and wrong, but I have a proposition. Sit down.” He motioned with his chin toward the chair across from him. I stared at it before finally walking over and taking a seat. My hands were on my lap and I held them together to keep from biting my nails.

“Let me start by saying that I know and respect that your Saturdays are yours. Trust me, you made that point very clear. But I have a favor to ask. Vicious is throwing his annual summer barbecue—actually, his wife, Emilia, is in charge—and Luna and I have to go. Luna absolutely fucking despises these kinds of gatherings and the kids who try to talk and play with her. I’d take my parents to keep her company when I have to help around the kitchen and grill, but they’ll be out of town. I wouldn’t ask unless I had to. You know that, right?”

I was so used to his stern demeanor, it took me a moment to decipher his request.

Saturday.

Barbecue.

Theo.

No.

I swallowed hard. “Listen…”

“Breaking point. Everyone has one. These kinds of situations are my daughter’s. Edie.” He shot me a look I tried to decode. It wasn’t exactly wrecked—but it sure as hell wasn’t his usual put-together self. “I don’t know your story, but I do know that you’re not a stranger to feeling like Luna. She is going to stand there alone because I won’t be able to be with her every single second. She is going to get approached by kids. She is going to be uncomfortable and scared and stressed. I don’t want it for her, but I can’t fucking decline every single invitation I am given and lock us in my penthouse forever, which is what I’m forced to do half the fucking time.”

It stung. His speech hit me somewhere deep, because he was right. The outcast. I knew it. It lived in me, even if I didn’t look or talk like one. I shook my head, feeling tears prickling my eyes. No matter what I’d choose, I’d walk away from this room with a heavy heart. Ever since Theo had entered his facility, I’d always visited him, every Saturday, not skipping even once. Not even when I was sick. Was I really going to break the tradition for Trent and Luna?

How much longer would I even be in Luna’s life? The thought of saying goodbye to the beautiful, silent little girl who reminded me of myself tugged the words from me. “Just this once,” I heard myself saying. “Please, don’t ask me again and make me say no to Luna. Because I’d hate myself for turning her down and you for asking again. My Saturdays are mine,” I stretched. He gave me a curt nod, trying to conceal his obvious glee.

His tense shoulders released. “First and last time. I don’t know who he is, but he is lucky to have you,” he said. The paranoid in me perked up and made my body to shoot up.