re else. He found himself thinking about Sophia more than he should. It wasn't just the way she looked, though

d, hard reality of his world. But it wasn't working. She was everywhere. In th

't keep pretendin

ouldn't bring himself to say no. He knew she'd be there. Knew he'd see her and feel

r. Caleb was used to it. Used to pretending everything was fine. But tonight, the air fel

glow of the streetlights outside. Her hair fell in loose wave

own skin. Something Caleb had never been able to fully achieve. He'd spent years trying to p

watching her. But when she finally turne

t everything that needed to be said was there. In the

the silence. "You'v

to respond. His mind was full of so many th

said, his voice rou

the corners of her lips. But there was something el

ngry. She wasn't accusing him. She was just... aski

hat moment that he didn

nside him was breaking, like the walls he had spent so long

on't have to say anything." She took a small step toward him, her gaze never le

his name, the sincerity in her voice-it was eno

didn't know how to let he

is," he confessed, his voi

the heat of her presence, the rhythm of her breath. S

right now," she said softly. "But y

t of everything in his life, everything he had worked so hard for, start

d so pointless

reach out, to hold hers, to feel that warmth. But

oing through his mind. She didn't pull away. She didn't demand anything

pping out before he could stop them. "I'm

look at him with judgment. She looked at him like he was just anoth

asking you to be perfect, Caleb

e laughter-it all disappeared. All that was left was the space betwee

was gentle, hesitant. But it was enough. Enough to mak

id, the words more honest tha

whispered. "But m