The days leading up to the dinner felt like walking on glass.

Roman and I barely touched when Avery was around. We smiled at the right times. We talked about normal things. But every glance lasted a second too long. Every time our hands brushed while passing something in the kitchen, the air changed.

I stayed at the Hale house most nights because Avery kept asking. Roman never told me to leave.

Thursday evening Avery went out with friends again. The house was ours for a few hours.

Roman found me in the living room. He didn’t say anything at first. He just walked over, took my face in his...