My fingers fly across the screen.
Me
No.
I stare at my response with wide eyes and type another message.
Me
I mean yes!
Ugh!
Me
I don’t know.
I’m sweating. I pick up my needle and thread, as if needlepoint is going to distract me.
Malaki
You do know. You’re just trying to do what you think is right.
Me
How do you already know me so well?
I thought I was doing an okay job at keeping him at arm’s length, but I was painfully wrong.
Malaki
Because I pay attention.
Tell me something. Why does the other night have to be wrong?
Me
Because! There have to be boundaries.
It’s to protect Charleigh—and myself. If Malaki and I start complicating things by adding whateverthisis to the mix and then it turns sour…we’ll be on the streets. Benedict will have an absolute heyday with that.
Malaki
You should trust your fiancé, Reese. We’re going to be married after all. There’s no need for boundaries.
I can almost picture his grin.
He never misses an opportunity to mention that we’re engaged.
Malaki
Do you trust me?
My fingers still above my phone, afraid to send the message.
Deep down, though, I know the answer.
I think he does too.
