My mind was already spinning, racing faster than my feet could carry me to him.
A hundred scenarios tangled together.
His fist slamming into Nicole's jaw, his voice tearing through the halls like thunder, the family gathering in horror, whispers spreading like wildfire until no one ever looked at me the same way again.
And worse...Nicole goading him, smiling with that smug twist of her lips, knowing exactly how to pour gasoline on his flames.
God, no. I couldn't let it reach that point.
My pulse was a drumbeat in my ears, each thud a warning that time was slipping away like sand.
Like I was losing him second by second.
"Dave!" My voice cracked, shrill with panic. "Stop! Please just...just look at me!"
His steps faltered. Slowly, but he turned to face me.
The moment his eyes locked onto mine, my chest tightened. I couldn't take the way he was looking at me, like he was seconds away from tearing the truth out of me.
