Chapter 150.

The drive to Kylie’s apartment was quieter than usual.

sat in the passenger seat with one arm resting against the door, staring through the window as the city passed by.

Kylie kept both hands on the steering wheel.

She didn’t turn on the radio.

He wasn’t okay, and he didn’t need to be.

The silence between them stretched for several minutes.

"You always drive this quietly?" Christain finally broke the silence.

Kylie glanced at him. "You always talk this much?"

His mouth twitched. "I’m trying to make conversation."

She gave him a light glare. "You’re doing a terrible job." she remarked.

"I’ve had a difficult evening." He turned to her. "Be a bit sympathetic."

She kept her eyes on the road, and said nothing.

Christian smiled faintly.

He turned his face toward the window again.

After a few seconds, Kylie spoke. "You can sleep when we get there."

"I’m not sleeping."

"You look exhausted."

"I’ve had better days."

Kylie exhaled. She could feel it.

Maybe it was because she’d held him. Maybe it was because she’d felt his tears against her shoulder.

Maybe it was because she’d kissed his chest without thinking and then spent the last fifteen minutes pretending that hadn’t happened even if it was the only thing that replayed over and over again in her mind.

The scent of his colonge imprisoned her mind in a good way. And now, all she wants to do was hug him for the next two hours without stepping away.

Whatever it was, it sat between them now.

When Kylie finally turned into her apartment complex, Christian glanced around.

"I can’t believe you are willingly bringing me here."

She parked. "Don’t push it. It’s not too late to send you away."

Christian opened his door, and smiled.

Kylie got out. "You’ve been here before."

He shut the car door. "Once." he reminded.

"And I kicked you out the next morning."

Christian’s eyebrows rose. "Technically, you escorted me out." he shot her a look. "Who would have thought you took pride in doing that?"

Kylie started walking. "That sounds like a you problem."

Christian followed. "You invited me in."

"I made a mistake." She brought out her phone. "Also you showed up at my door without invitation at the wrong time."

"You are about to make that mistake twice."

She looked over her shoulder. "Don’t tempt me."

His grin widened.

They entered the building.

They stood side by side.

Kylie stared at the numbers above the doors.

Christian stared at her reflection. She caught him doing it. Their eyes met through the mirrored surface.

Neither looked away immediately.

Kylie stepped forward first.

Christian followed.

She unlocked the door. The moment it opened, Christian noticed how quiet the apartment was.

Kylie switched on the lights.

The apartment looked exactly like someone had barely been living there. There was a thin layer of stillness over everything.

A jacket hung over the back of a chair.

A book sat open on the coffee table, abandoned halfway through.

There were two mugs beside the sink. A small plant sat near the window, somehow still alive.

Christian stepped inside.

Kylie closed the door.

He looked around. "So this is where you really live?"

"Sometimes."

He turned. "Sometimes?"

"I’ve been at Emilia’s most of the time."

Christian nodded. "Because of everything?"

Kylie shrugged. "Because she’s my best friend." She dropped her keys into a small bowl near the door.

Christian looked at it.

She slowly turned around. "I have some cloths in my wardrobe that might suit you if you wish to change." She bit her lower lip. "Some of my random hookups forgot a few."

Christain face twisted. "No, Kylie." His voice hardened. "You seriously aren’t suggesting I wear some random men cloths, are you?"

She looked at him innocently. "I was just suggesting."

"I will just order new cloths." Christian smiled. "I might spend a week here."

Kylie parted her lips to speak, but Christain beat her to it.

He cut her off. "Free pass." he grinned at her.

Kylie rolled her eyes, and eyed him.

He laughed quietly.

It was the first real laugh she’d heard from him since the care center.

Her eyes softened.

Christian walked farther into the apartment. He stopped near the photographs on the shelf.

Kylie watched him.

There were pictures of her and Emilia. She stored pictures of her and her mum away.

One photograph showed Kylie with her hair much shorter, and laughing beside Emilia.

Christian picked it up. "You were younger."

"I was about 9. Emilia and I, we were girls together."

"That’s nice." He put the picture back. "You look different."

"So do you."

"I was always handsome."

Kylie snorted.

He looked at her. "You disagree?"

"I didn’t say that."

His eyebrow lifted. "You didn’t have to."

Kylie walked past him. "I’m getting something to drink."

"Water?"

"Yes."

"Exciting."

"Would you prefer something else?"

"No."

She looked at him suspiciously.

Christian shrugged. "Water sounds good." he said honestly.

Kylie walked into the kitchen.

Christian followed.

She opened the refrigerator. "You want something other than water?"

"Whatever you’re having."

She took two bottles of water. When she turned around, he was standing closer than she’d expected.

She stopped.

Christian looked down at her.

Kylie held out the bottle.

He took it, and their fingers brushed.

Neither moved for a second.

Kylie pulled her hand away.

"Thanks."

"You’re welcome." She opened her own bottle.

Christian did the same.

They drank in silence.

Kylie glanced at him, and caught him watching her.

She frowned. "Stop staring. Honestly, it’s creepy."

"You look different here."

"Here?"

"In your apartment." He looked around. "You’re quieter."

She leaned against the counter. "I thought I was blunt."

Christian took another drink. "You are so on guard."

Something about the way he said it made her expression soften.

Kylie looked away. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Christian didn’t push. "Okay."

She looked back at him.

He was smiling faintly.

She hated how easily he could make her feel seen. "You’re supposed to be watching a movie," she reminded him.

"I am."

"You’re standing in my kitchen."

"It’s part of the experience." He nodded. "And I’m grateful."

The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard.

Kylie looked at him.

Christian lowered his gaze to the bottle in his hand. "Tonight was..." He paused.

She waited.

"Bad." He swallowed. "Thank you for staying."

Kylie’s expression softened. She didn’t know what to say, so she took another drink.

Christian smiled. "Movie?"

"Movie."

They walked into the living room.

Kylie picked up the remote. "What do you want to watch?"

"Your choice. I trust you."

She glanced at him.

She shook her head, and scrolled through the options. "Romance?"

"No."

"Action?"

"Too loud."

"Comedy?"

"Maybe."

"Drama?"

Christian looked at her. "Absolutely not."

Kylie smiled. "Why?"

"I’ve had enough emotional suffering for one evening."

"That is fair." She continued scrolling.

Christian dropped onto the couch.

Kylie finally chose a movie.

She sat beside him.

Not too close, but not far either.

The movie started.

For nearly ten minutes, neither said anything.

Then Christian whispered, "This is terrible."

"You picked it."

"I trusted you."

She stared.

He smiled.

"Annoying wanker." She reached for a cushion and threw it at him.

Christian caught it. "Violence."

He laughed out, and Kylie found herself smiling.