Trigger Warning:

Arabella

I let out a big exhale. It was torture to be so close to him and yet so far away from him. Still, I couldn’t help myself. I reached out and touched his hand lightly.

He flinched as if it burned.

My heart broke. I started to pull away, but then he stopped me—not with words. He placed his palm over mine and gave it a small, aching squeeze. He didn’t look at me, didn’t speak, but he didn’t let go either.

Tears pricked at my eyes, but I blinked them away, suddenly feeling choked in the air-conditioned car.

When we arrived, he walked me to Marco’s...