Sara’s POV

I froze mid-movement. My fingers stayed wrapped around the handle, but I didn’t turn around. That nickname—princess—made my stomach flip in the worst and best way. I didn’t trust myself to look at him because I knew the moment I did, my face would betray me. So I just nodded slightly, hoping my voice wouldn’t shake if I said anything. “Uh, sure. Bye.”

I pushed the door open and stepped out into the morning air. It felt cooler than before, sharp against my warm skin. I shut the door behind me, trying to act like my legs weren’t weak and that my entire body wasn’t tingling from how...