EMBER’S POV

But he didn’t write that — did he? He couldn’t have.

Knox doesn’t say things like that. Knox barely admits to liking things, let alone loving them.

Knox doesn’t do feelings, or commitment, or long-term declarations — and I hate that in this moment my heart yearns bitterly for it to be him.

It yearns to such a painful degree that it’s a physical pang in my chest.

But I know too well how much that sets me up for disappointment.

I like you a lot, Ember. That was his truth.

Like. Not love.

Never love.

Rafael is watching me too, his expression carefully neutral but his eyes...