The soft glow of the fireplace flickered against the walls of Reese's condo, casting warm, dancing shadows that did little to chase away the cold feeling creeping into her chest. She curled deeper into the corner of her couch, pulling the oversized sweater tighter around her body as her fingers absentmindedly stroked Loki's fur. His purring a quiet, rhythmic hum against the silence of the room. Loki always knew when she needed comfort—despite his usual aloofness, he had a way of finding his place next to her when she needed it most.

The Christmas movie playing on the screen was nothing more than background noise, its festive cheer a stark contrast to the weight pressing down on her. Her untouched glass of wine sat beside her on the coffee table, condensation forming a thin layer on the crystal. Her phone, facedown next to it, remained silent.

It had been days since Collin had left her alone with her guilt, and despite her attempts to reach out, he hadn't responded. The absence of his name lighting up her screen was like a dull, persistent ache—one she had no way of soothing. Christian, however, was relentless.

His texts had come sporadically at first. A simple, Can I see you? that she had ignored. When she didn't respond, he had shifted to business, inquiring about potential properties and deals. She saw through it, though. He wasn't texting about work. He was testing her resolve.

And she was breaking.

She exhaled heavily, rubbing her fingers against her temples as the flames from the fireplace flickered across the room, warming her skin but doing nothing to settle the weight in her stomach. She needed Naomi—her sounding board, her voice of reason—but she was still out of town for the holidays. And even though she had acknowledged the drama over text, her responses had remained limited. So Reese sat alone, curled up in the dim light, the city beyond her windows twinkling in holiday cheer while she remained trapped in her own thoughts.

A knock at the door shattered the silence.

Reese stiffened, her fingers freezing in Loki's fur. Her heart pounded in her ears as she turned toward the sound, the sudden stillness of the room making it impossible to ignore.

The knock came again.

Slower this time. More deliberate.

Loki jumped off the couch, his ears twitching as he padded away toward the darkness of the guest bedroom, leaving her alone with the sharp pull of dread settling in her chest.

She hesitated for a moment before standing, her bare feet sinking into the cool hardwood as she made her way toward the door. The air in the condo suddenly felt too thick, too charged, like the walls themselves were holding their breath.

When she pulled the door open, her stomach clenched.

Christian.

He stood in the dim glow of the porch light, dressed in a dark coat, his sharp eyes sweeping over her, taking in the oversized sweater that swallowed her frame, the loose sweatpants, her bare feet against the hardwood. His gaze lingered just a fraction too long.

She swallowed, gripping the wrought iron doorframe. "What are you doing here?"

His gaze flickered, his hands sliding into the pockets of his coat. "You've been ignoring my calls and texts."

She let out a slow breath, exhaustion creeping into her voice. "That didn't mean show up at my door."

His lips twitched, something close to amusement but not quite. "Like it or not, we still have business to attend to."

Her grip tightened on the door. "You need to go."

Christian took a step forward, closing the space between them. "Not until you tell me why you've been avoiding me."

She straightened, crossing her arms. "I'm not avoiding you."

"Then what would you call it?" His voice was quieter now, lower, like he knew exactly what he was doing to her.

She turned her head, refusing to meet his gaze. He was always like this—always pressing just enough to make her feel like she was unraveling.

"Did I cross the line?"

Reese blinked at him, thrown by the words. She searched his face, trying to anticipate his disposition.

He studied her in return, then exhaled. "I'll retract the offer."

Her chest tightened. "What?"

"I'll withdraw the job offer to Mr. Haynes," he said. "If that's what you want."

Panic gripped her, her stomach twisting. "No. Don't do that."

Christian's brow lifted slightly, as if amused by her reaction. "I thought you didn't want him working for me."

She shook her head, frustration laced in her voice. "If you take it back now, it will crush him. He'll think I had something to do with it."

Christian tilted his head, considering her. "So you told him about—"

"No," she interrupted quickly. "Just leave it alone."

Christian took another step forward.

Her pulse quickened.

He reached for her, his fingers brushing her wrist, the heat of his touch searing through the fabric of her sweater. It was dangerous, this pull between them—the way she could feel herself slipping even now.

Her breath hitched, her resolve faltering just for a moment.

Then she stepped back.

"You should go."

Christian studied her, his gaze lingering before he exhaled and stepped away. He didn't argue, didn't push further. She shut the door behind him, pressing her forehead against the wood, squeezing her eyes shut.

She willed herself to breathe, to push past the swirling emotions in her chest.

Knock! Knock!

Reese's stomach dropped, irritation flaring hot in her veins.

She yanked the door open, exasperation lacing her voice. "I told you to—"

Her words died on her lips.

Collin stood in front of her, a mix of pain, confusion, and something darker brewing in his hazel eyes.

Her heart lurched.

His gaze swept over her, taking in the sweater, the slight flush on her cheeks, the way she stood just a little too rigidly. He didn't need to ask. He knew.

"Why was Christian Grey here?"

The words sent a chill through her. Had he seen Christian leave?

She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

Collin's eyes darkened. He took a step closer, his voice low, raw. "Why was Christian Grey here, Reese?"

She couldn't speak. Couldn't breathe.

His jaw tensed, his voice cracking. "Are you sleeping with him?"

The air between them turned suffocating.

"Why would you ask me that?"

"I've been racking my brain the last few days, trying to figure out why you *really* didn't want me to take this job, and—"

"Collin—" she interrupted.

"Please let me finish, "he demanded, his eyes burning into hers. "It dawned on me that there could be an explanation for you not wanting me to work with Christian Grey. Maybe it was my mind replaying both times I interrupted you two—seemed pretty intense, but I pushed it aside."

Reese swallowed hard.

"But then I drove up and saw him leaving," Collin continued, his voice heavy. "So I'll ask again. Are you sleeping with him?"

Silence.

She opened her mouth.

But no words came.

Collin let out a hollow laugh, running a hand over his jaw. "And to think I came here to apologize."

Reese swallowed back the lump in her throat.

"I was such a fucking fool."

"Collin—"

"Don't," he cut her off, his voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes, filled with undeniable pain, lingered on her for a final moment.

Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.

And Reese let him.