He doesn’t know I’m not scaredofhim, butforhim. I’m scared of the world waiting outside his door with sharpened claws. Panic burns hot at the back of my throat as I slam my eyes shut.
“I just have a lot to do today,” I say, hoping it’s enough. “We still have another PR mess to take care of.”
Kyle exhales slowly, chest pressing to my back for one brief, grounding moment before he steps around me. He leans against the counter beside me, watching me with that steady, unblinking gaze that’s equal parts shield and sword. “Okay, but if you need anything—if you feel anything—I want you to tell me.”
God, I hate how much I want to fall into him. How easy it would be.
“I know,” I whisper. And I do. That’s why I can’t.
His fingers brush mine lightly. “You’re shaking.”
“I’m cold.”
His mouth pulls into something that isn’t quite a smile and isn’t quite heartbreak. “You’re a terrible liar.”
I huff out a weak exhale. “So are you.”
That earns me the smallest genuine smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. Kyle pushes gently off the counter and steps toward me, lifting a hand to my cheek. His thumb strokes once beneath my eye. “Whatever today is, you don’t have to go through it alone.”
My breath catches because I know he means it; I just wish I could let myself believe it. “I know.”
He doesn’t push, just leans down to press his lips to my forehead, lingering enough to feel like a promise. I close my eyes, letting myself revel in it for one stolen second. Then I pull away before he can feel the tremor in my jaw.
“Let me get ready,” I whisper.
Kyle's fingers slide from my cheek, his gaze lingering like he wants to pull me right back into him and ask what’s really going on, but he steps back and gives me space. I turn toward the entryway, where I left my backpack last night, and crouch to grab it. My hands shake as I pull out the folded clothes I shoved inside hastily last night before heading here—my blouse, slacks, and makeup bag. When I straighten, Kyle is in the kitchen, watching me with something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
I clutch the clothes to my chest and slip past him, heading toward the bedroom. My legs feel unsteady, like I’m moving through two different worlds. The warm, safe one where he held me last night and the cold one waiting outside his door. The moment I’m in the bedroom, I let out a shaky breath.
The door stays open behind me, but he doesn’t follow. I can sense him in the hallway, giving me space, but the awareness of him hums under my skin like a second heartbeat. I lay the clothes on the bed and smooth out the wrinkles with trembling hands. I’m halfway through unfolding the blouse when footsteps sound behind me.
“Sweetheart?” I stiffen slightly before turning, blouse crushed in my fists.
Kyle stands in the doorway, blinking at the clothes on his bed like he’s processing something he wasn’t expecting to see. “You… brought clothes? Like you planned to?—”
“I—um—no! Not like—” Heat slams through me so fast my knees weaken, my voice jumping two octaves. “I wasn’t planning on taking advantage of you or anything!”
“Taking advantage of me?”
“Oh my God,” I groan, pressing my hands over my face. “That’s not— I didn’t— I wasn’t?—”
He steps into the room, the corner of his mouth twitching upward even though he’s trying not to laugh. “Taking advantage of me?”
“Please stop saying it,” I mumble into my palms.
When I finally lower my hands, his expression shifts instantly from teasing to gentle. He crosses the room and takes the blouse from my trembling fingers before taking my hands in his, closing around mine. “I’m teasing.”
“I’m still mortified.”
“You’re also incredibly cute when you panic.”
“Kyle.” I glare at him weakly.
“For the record,” he says, brushing his thumb over my knuckles, “you didn’t take advantage of me. We chose last night together.”
He leans his forehead to mine, his voice dipping an octave. “And you brought clothes because you have towork this morning, not because you expected anything. You’re always prepared.”
Heat blooms across my cheeks again, but this time, it’s gentler. Embarrassed, but safe. “I still sounded ridiculous.”
