Page 16 of Nothing But Air

“Some of us have better sense.”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “Can I come in? Just for a minute.”

Something in his voice made her step back. “Fine. But make it quick.”

He entered, boots scuffing against the floor, and scanned the room—the sparse furniture, the bare walls, the photographs above her desk. His gaze landed on the pull-up bar. Then dropped to her hands.

“Those are climbers’ calluses.”

“Those are none of your business.”

“You’re training.” Not a question.

“I’m staying in shape. There’s a difference.”

“Is there?” He stepped closer. “Because I’ve done enough climbing drills to recognize the grip work. The faint smudges left behind from doorframe hangs. The?—”

“Did you just come here to interrogate me?”

“No.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I came to?—”

A small squeak came from the phone.

They both turned. Mara’s face filled the screen, her expression the barely contained delight of a sister witnessing something she absolutely should not be witnessing.

“Don’t mind me.” She waved a hand. “Continue.”

“Mara—”

“Is that him? Is that Teague?” Mara leaned closer. “Oh, Eden, you were so right, he’s?—”

Eden lunged for the phone and killed the call.

Silence.

Teague’s eyebrows rose. “I’m what?”

“Absolutely terrible to look at.” Eden kept her face straight. “An eyesore. We discuss it constantly.”

“Constantly?”

“It’s practically all we talk about. Your many aesthetic failings.”

“That’s a lot of time devoted to someone so terrible.”

“What can I say? I’m a public servant. Have to let everyone know. Since you certainly won’t do it yourself.”

“No, I’m more of a let-my-actions-speak type.”

“Your actions speak plenty.”

Something flickered across his face—amusement fading into something more serious. “Yeah. That’s actually why I’m here.”

Eden set the phone face down on the nightstand. “I’m listening.”

“I’ve been thinking about what you said,” he continued. “About how I can’t control outcomes just because I want to.” He exhaled and stared out the window. “You’re right. But I don’t know how to stop trying.” His green eyes found hers. “Even when it’s probably useless. Even when everyone tells me to let go. I just…I have to do something. I have to move.”

Eden understood that better than she wanted to admit. Had lived it for years on the rock face, pushing higher because standing still was impossible.