Page 64 of Blue Gold

“I see you haven’t changed.”

Not sure what he meant, I half turned to frown at him.

He pulled one hand out of his trousers pocket. “I was complimenting you,” he clarified, and I narrowed my eyes at him.

“What you do here?” I deepened my stare. “Is it not too late for you?”

“Are you insinuating I’m old again?”

My brows pulled close. “In… insi⁠—”

“Insinuating.” He smiled. “I asked if you’re implying that I’m old, yet again.”

Oh, that’s what this word meant.

“I don’t enstuttinging anything.”

“Insinuating.”

“I do not care.” I jumped off the railing so I’d fully face him. “My point is, you are old. End of talking.”

“Or perhaps, you’re simply too young.”

My eyes widened with anger because I hated the fact that he was answering me back with that teasing smile.

“I am not too anything. I am perfect.”

He went silent, gray eyes locked with mine.

“You are.”

My chest tightened at his words. Not because they made me happy, but the opposite.

“And you are annoying,” I snarled when his lips curved up.

“I was only teasing⁠—”

“I do not care,” I cut in, and we fell into a deep silence as he continued to stare at me with those damn gray eyes.

I never had the ability to just stay quiet while he… he did. And I loved that about him. I loved how much confidence he radiated, even without uttering a word. Mostly, I loved how safe I felt in his silence.

“You looked really good today, in the show,” he said, eyes soft, his lips barely forming a smile.

“I know.” I huffed and turned my head aside so I wouldn’t need to see his face.

“I was so impressed.”

Don’t look at him.

“I mean it.” He took a step closer. “You were truly stunning.”

Don’t fall for his words.

“The most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.”

Being the idiot that I was, I looked at him. Oh, did I look at him, because how could I not when he called me beautiful in such a soft voice that it nearly brought tears to my eyes?

“And today⁠—”