Emilio’s POV

He didn’t.

Instead, he looked at me slowly, like he’d been waiting for something exactly like that to happen — like my tiny, accidental touch had confirmed something he already knew. His eyes softened, but that small smile stayed on his lips, just a faint little curve. Somehow it made my stomach twist, like someone had tied a knot in it and pulled.

“You’re jumpy tonight,” he murmured.

I tried to speak — really, I did — but the moment I opened my mouth, nothing came out. My throat felt tight, like it had forgotten how to work. I could feel my heartbeat pressing up against it, loud...