“If I’m way off base right now, just tell me,” he continues, caramel eyes flashing with contrition. “Hand to God, I won’t bother you again.” “What do you mean?” “I won’t approach you,” he says softly, seriously. “I won’t speak to you unless I’m spoken to. In fact, I won’t even give you a second look if that’s what you want from me.” My shoulders slump. “Oh.” “Is that what you want, Kaia?” “No.” My throat’s filled with gravel, the jagged shards burning through me as I swallow. “No, that’s not what I want.”
