Chapter 54

You can’t put this off forever. The sooner you do it the better.

I puffed as I scrolled through my contact list. I found the number and dialed, figuring if I gave myself another second to rehearse my speech, I would chicken out. Again. Like I already had, several times before.

Lyra wouldn’t have minded doing it for me but I felt like I had to be the one to do it. Out of respect and in part, to hear what he had to say. More importantly, how he responded. I didn’t know what I was hoping for exactly. Would it make me happy if Cristo hated me for it? If he outright asked me to call off the whole thing? Said he didn’t want anyone else that wasn’t me? That was unlikely to happen but I couldn’t help the sliver of hope that tugged at my chest.

“Lilith,” Cristo said in a boisterous voice, catching me off guard. “How are you?”

“I’m… fine.” Why was I stuttering? I had spoken to him a million times before. Snap out of it, Lilith!

“So I’m calling about a potential match,” I said, finally finding