-Kyle Vale:
I stood there for a second longer than I should've, just trying to process the fact that I was actually walking toward the dining table while every single person in the room already knew.
Knew about the date.
Knew about us—or whatever "us" even meant yet.
My feet moved automatically, but my mind felt slightly behind my body, like I was watching myself from a distance. My eyes stayed locked on Caspian the entire time, because that was the only thing my brain could properly focus on.
Him.
He was the only thing that mattered in the room.
And for a split second, I was scared.
Not because I regretted it.
God, no.
But because I suddenly realized something very real—
This wasn't private anymore.
This wasn't just between us, hidden away in quiet moments and stolen looks.
Now it was out in the open.
And that meant Caspian could change his mind.
He could decide it was too much.
He could pull away again like he always did with anything that got too close.
