Chapter 17: Almost Standing

Scarlett wore her mother's ring on a chain around her neck.

She did not wear it as a symbol of romance. She wore it like a vow.

In the therapy room, Dr. Cross placed a timer on the table. 'Today, we stand without holding the bars for five seconds.'

Scarlett stared at her. 'That sounds impossible.'

'Most progress does before it becomes history.'

Alexander stood near the wall, arms crossed. He had been more distant since the dinner with Victor Hale. Not colder, exactly. Careful. As if he feared standing too close might prove Victor right.

Scarlett hated the distance.

She gripped the bars and pushed herself upward. Her legs shook violently. Pain shot through her knees. Dr. Cross counted.

'One.'

Scarlett released one hand.

'Two.'

Her breath hitched.

'Three.'

Her left leg buckled.

Alexander moved before anyone else could breathe. He caught her at the waist, strong and immediate. Scarlett fell against him, shaking.

For a moment, the room disappeared. There was only his hand at her back, his breath near her temple, and the unbearable tenderness of not hitting the floor.

'I failed,' she whispered.

'No,' Alexander said. 'You trusted your legs for three seconds more than yesterday.'

She looked up at him. His face was close, his expression raw in a way he rarely allowed.

'Why are you pulling away from me?' she asked.

Dr. Cross quietly left the room.

Alexander's jaw tightened. 'Because I am not a safe man.'

'I did not ask for safe.'

'You should.'

Scarlett's hand rested against his chest. She could feel his heartbeat, steady but hard.

'Everyone safe abandoned me,' she said. 'Everyone respectable betrayed me. Maybe danger is not the worst thing a person can be.'

His eyes darkened. 'Scarlett.'

'Do you care for me?'

The silence was long enough to hurt.

Then he answered, 'More than I should.'

Scarlett held his gaze. 'Then stop treating me like glass.'

Alexander looked at her lips, then back to her eyes.

He did not kiss her.

But for the first time, Scarlett knew he wanted to.