“Thank you for bringing me to the beach today,” Callie said as they drove back into the city. The faint glittering lights in the distance reminded Callie that she must go back to face the music tomorrow. “And for the ice, and for being with me.”

Vin nodded, discomfort clear in his body language. He had told Callie he was sticking around. He didn’t even know why he said that, but it felt right, then. And it felt right now.

He wanted to be what Callie needed, what Callie wanted. But the consequences of his words, as much as they excited him, sent terrors all the way down to his...