“It did,” he replied, unable to lie to her. “And I freaked out. I’m sorry.” She still refused to look at him. “Peyton, please. You need to understand. I’ve never…” he shook his head and dropped his gaze to their hands. “I’ve never experienced anything like that before. Yes. I freaked out. I said I’d call and I didn’t. I’m sorry. Please let me make it up to you.”

     She looked at him then and he felt like she could see right into his very soul. He didn’t flinch. There was something about being near her, touching her, that made this impossible situation seem almost impossible.

     “How do I know...