The Boy Who Has No Hope (Soulless #6) - Victoria Quinn Page 0,55

the Odyssey. But…I think it’s such a vital part of your story that it would inspire people to give one hundred percent, to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.”

Still, nothing.

“I’ll tell them no, then…”

“No.” He released a heavy sigh. “I’ll do it.”

“Really?” I asked. “Because I want you to do it because you want to. Don’t let me pressure you.”

“No, I’ll do it.” He raised his gaze and looked at me again.

I couldn’t believe I’d gotten an agreement out of him.

He flashed me that serious expression, his gaze burning deep into mine, like the intimacy of our eye contact gave him the reassurance he needed. “It’s time for me to move on…and get on with my life.”

“Why do I need to learn geometry? Seriously, who uses this shit—”

I slapped her wrist. “Watch it. Are you a lady or a gangster?”

“If gangsters don’t need to learn geometry, then I’ll happily be a gangster.”

I suppressed my chuckle, but it was hard.

“Have you used geometry once since you graduated?” Lizzie challenged. “Seriously?”

No, not once. “Here and there…”

She shook her head. “You’re so full of it, Mom.” She looked at her textbook.

I wished I could help her with her math homework, but geometry was just not my thing.

My phone vibrated with a text message from Derek. I want to talk to you. Can you come over?

I read that message three times, and with every single pass, my heart pounded a little harder. The last time he’d said that to me, he’d kissed me when I walked in the door. Flashbacks came into my mind of that kiss in his entryway, the way he kissed me better than any other man ever had. I was still because I didn’t know what to do. I was anxious to go over there to hear what he had to say, but I was also scared.

I wanted him to say that he wanted to be with me, accept all the baggage that came with me.

But I was afraid he would say something worse, like it was too hard for us to work together…and he wanted to let me go.

God, I was going to be sick.

I texted him back. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.

Lizzie kept working, focused on her math homework, so she didn’t notice the text message.

“I’m going to drop you off with Grandma and Grandpa. I have to run an errand.”

“What?” she asked in surprise. “Right now?”

“Yes. Grab your stuff.”

“Or you could just leave me here alone…” She waggled her eyebrows.

“Nope. It’s too late to leave you unsupervised. I did it last time, but I don’t want to make a habit out of it.”

She packed her things. “Fine…”

I walked her down the hallway and let her into the apartment. Dad was in the kitchen, making dinner, which was a first. “Mind watching Lizzie for an hour?”

“Not at all.” My dad turned from the pans on the stove. “Just about to have dinner.”

“And ice cream?” Lizzie asked hopefully.

“Absolutely.” Dad came to her and gave her a tight hug with a kiss. “We’ll have the biggest ice cream sundaes.”

“Yes!” Lizzie hugged him before setting her stuff on the table.

I wanted to scold my father, but he was so happy now that he’d gotten his mobility back that I couldn’t spoil it. “Thanks, Dad.”

“Of course.” He kissed me on the cheek. “Be careful out there, alright?”

“Always. I’ll be back soon.” I headed out, hearing Lizzie’s voice as I left.

“Can we have the sundaes before dinner?”

I took a cab to Derek’s place, and once I entered the lobby, my nerves became even worse. The elevator ride was long, and I was a bit sick on the journey. My hand absent-mindedly rubbed across my flat stomach, and when the doors opened, I sucked in a deep breath.

I walked down the hallway, my pulse pounding harder and louder in my ears. When my nose was practically against the door, I stared at it for a few seconds before I pulled out my key, which Derek had returned, and let myself inside.

He sat on the couch in his sweatpants and a t-shirt, his elbows on his knees and his head tilted down. He didn’t even look at me.

I’d never been so nervous in my life. I wasn’t even this nervous when I found out I was going to have Lizzie.

I set my purse on the table and approached the other couch, where he sat during his sessions with Dr. Collins. I smoothed out my dress before I took a seat, crossing my legs