"Then what's it about?"
Ethan runs a hand through his hair. The gesture is frustrated. Tired. "He's my best friend. He's been there through everything. When I came back from Afghanistan, when I didn't know how to function in the real world, he gave me a reason to stay. To build something here."
"And you think being with me would destroy that?"
"I think it would change things. Make things complicated."
"Things are already complicated. Pretending they're not doesn't change that."
He's quiet for a long moment. Then: "What do you want from me, Callie?"
"I want you to stop hiding behind Luke. Stop using him as an excuse to keep me at arm's length."
"I'm not hiding."
"You are. You have been since the day we met."
"That's not true."
"Isn't it?" I step closer. We're almost touching now. "Every time we're in the same room, you find a reason to leave. Every conversation ends with you pulling away. You won't even look at me half the time."
"I look at you."
"Not like this. Not when it's just us."
His eyes are on mine now. Dark and intense. I can see the war happening behind them. The want and the restraint and the fear all tangled together.
"This is a bad idea," he says.
"Probably."
"You should go."
"I will. After you answer one question."
"What question?"
I reach up and put my hand on his chest. Feel his heart beating fast under my palm. "Do you want me to go?"
His hand comes up, and covers mine. He holds it against his chest. "No."
The word is barely a whisper, but it's enough.
I rise on my toes, and close the final distance. I stop just before my lips touch his.
"Then don't make me," I breathe.
For one perfect second, nothing happens. We just stand there on the edge of something neither of us can take back.
Then Ethan moves.
His hand slides into my hair, and tilts my head back. His mouth hovers over mine. He’s so close I can feel his breath.
"Callie." My name is a warning. A plea.
"I know."
"We can't."
