Jeffrey's reaction was more intense than mine. “What are you doing?”

He glared at Crispin, clearly angry.

I turned to see that the person yanking my arm was, indeed, Crispin.

I pulled my arm away from his grip, wincing in pain.

Jeffrey instinctively shielded me, as if I were his possession, pulling me behind him.

I frowned at the discomfort but said nothing.

Earlier, Crispin had watched as Jeffrey approached. At first, he thought Jeffrey was just passing by, but when we started talking, and especially when Jeffrey embraced me and gave me a flower, his mood darkened with unspoken frustration.

He stood up, eager to question me about this...