Zara glanced at him for a moment before looking away quickly. "Okay. I'll sleep then."

"Okay," said Brandon.

Zara pulled the blanket over her, covering herself, but sleep would not come.

The room was quiet, and yet she could not help but be aware of Brandon sitting directly across from her on the couch. Her heart was pounding, and her fists clenched the blanket, as a thin layer of sweat dampened her palms.

"Can't sleep?" Brandon's gentle voice cut through the quiet from the sofa.

Zara hesitated, then threw off the blanket and faced him. "How'd you know I was still awake?"

The room wasn't so chilly, and she had...