Chapter 36. Read Between the Lines

Brinley

I turned back around to find Coal seated on the couch with his head in his hands. I didn't know what to say. Too much had happened, too much for me to process.

Before I could even try to come up with something, Darcie strode through the door with Langdon right behind her, each carrying a tray of food.

Coal's head snapped up.

Shock coursed through me.

His eyes were glistening.

...were those tears?

Darcie's perceptive and sharp eyes glanced at me and then landed on Coal. He blinked a few times and stood to his feet. He maintained eye contact with her, never looking at me, his voice stiff and formal. "Thank you for the offer of lunch, but I have interrupted your day enough. It's time for me to leave."

My heart clenched. Every fiber in my body rejected the thought of Coal leaving me. But I still had no idea what to say to him. The hurt was still so fresh and raw.

Darcie tilted her head to the side as she stared up