A sense of anticipation thrummed beneath the surface of our easy quiet. The sun began its slow descent in the sky. I watched as Jay turned his face toward the fading light, his expression open and unguarded. He seemed so different here—softer, more accessible. Impulsively, I reached out, my fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. Jay startled slightly, turning his surprised gaze toward me. The air crackled with unspoken questions. A part of me, the rational, cautious part, screamed to pull back, to protect myself from whatever lay behind that look. But another, deeper part of
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