Page 10 of To Regret a Raven

“I’m sorry?” He stepped back, his eyes widening.

She smiled, slow and sweet and…predatory, like a lioness closing in for the kill. “You’ll never loveherlike you love me,” she crooned, her eyes locked on his. “Don’t you think this has gone on long enough?”

Ticktock.

Fisher steppedthrough the door of Drie’s apartment, his hands reaching forward to cup her face before the door had even swung shut behind him. His mind was spiraling, his heart beating out of his chest. He needed to think—just for a moment.

Her eyes were wide when he brought them together, his lips hard on hers as he took what he needed for the first time in their relationship. And also for the very first time, it didn’t work.

She was right there with him, her breath mingling with his as her hands crept around the hem of his shirt, tunneling beneath the soft fabric to splay across his back, but he couldn’t relax. He couldn’t make the thoughts leave. Couldn’t fucking breathe.

He broke away and turned, his hands gripping his hair as he paced across the tiled floor.

“Fisher…” Drie’s voice was cautious. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“It doesn’t sound very serious.”

He just needed to trigger it, that was all. The emotion had always felt real with Rena when they were fighting, when the truth was spilling out between them in heat and anger.

“I—I’m—” He turned, throwing a hand wide as his eyes searched the room, looking for something—anything. His eyes landed on her anatomy book, lying on the counter. “I think you should find a new team for your project.”

“I’m…sorry?” She blinked, caught off guard.

“I don’t like it being three guys.” He nodded, as if confirming his own made-up complaint.

Her mouth opened and closed, then opened once more. “I didn’t know it bothered you.” She frowned. “I didn’t choose them. It was just alphabetical.”

“You could still ask the professor for a new team.”

Drie’s lips pursed, her gaze thoughtful, then she turned for the kitchen, her quizzical voice trailing back over her shoulder. “Are you just worried for my safety? Or are you feeling jealous?”

He followed, hot on her heels, confusion making his nose scrunch. Fisher had never really considered either possibility. He trusted Drie. And she was smart. He knew she’d never put herself in danger. The thoughts her words inspired, however, left a bad taste in his mouth. And the calm tone in which she asked made him feel utterly unbalanced.

How is she not angry over the demands I just made? Does she not care? Is she not insulted that I’d even bring up the idea? Why is she not defensive? Why is she not screaming at me to quit being a dick?

“B—Both?” he stuttered, unsure how to continue.

“Hmmm.” Drie nodded, her hands busy as she puttered around the tight space like a hummingbird caught in a cage. Then she approached, her eyes wary, and held out a mug. Hiseyes fell to the steam rising from the surface of the cup. It smelled like jasmine.

She’d made him tea.

She’d made him fucking tea.

“Your little emotional support girlfriend.”

He couldn’t say a word as she steered him toward the couch. He simply followed as if in a trance, settling into a cushion at her side as he breathed in the fruity, calming scent of the steam.

“Fisher, I already know my professor isn’t going to change our teams. She’s a real hard-ass, and I need a good grade in this class. However, I don’t want you stressing about me. I’ve already told the guys that I’m only willing to meet on campus, and I always make sure that it’s during the day, in a place with lots of witnesses.” She smiled up at him. “And for the second issue, I don’t think you’d be as concerned if you met them. I could have them come to the library one day so you can see for yourself. One of them is engaged and quite devoted to his fiancé. She’s all he ever talks about. The second one is sweet, but he’s not a concern.” She smirked. “He’d be more likely to hit onyouthan on me. And as for the third, well, Maverick doesn’t really talk all that much, if I’m being honest. He just keeps his head down and does the work. But truly, none of it matters. Do you know why?”

Fisher shook his head, chagrined.

“Because I loveyou. Only you. You have nothing to worry about.”

“You’ll never love her like you love me.”

He met her gaze, feeling like his soul was ripping itself in half, right there on the couch where they’d shared so many perfect memories.

I have to tell her, he thought.Right now.