Chapter 44

The casual way he said it, like spending time with me was something he genuinely enjoyed rather than just tolerated, made warmth spread through my chest.

Maybe lunch wouldn't be as awkward as I'd feared. Maybe we could just be siblings grabbing food together, like normal people did. Maybe I was overthinking everything.

"There's that new sandwich place down the street," I suggested. "Leah says their turkey club is amazing."

"Sounds perfect," he said, then reached up and gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face.

I froze, shocked by the intimate gesture. My eyes widened as I stared at him, wondering what he was doing,...