Here was a grown man, focused solely on her, and the intensity of it all terrified her. How could she not be afraid?
âIâm begging you. Canât you just let me go?â
Shawnâs expression grew serious. âLet you go? So you can keep bouncing from one guy to the next? I canât do that, Katherine. You canât keep leading me on and then pretend youâre not.â
âWho the hell has led you on?â Katherine cursed, but quickly caught herself, forcing her voice to calm. âLook, if you canât deal with this, then weâll just stop attending the same events. Where you are, I wonât be, and vice versa. We can act like we never knew each other, alright?â
âNo.â Shawnâs answer was immediate, his eyes never leaving her face.
The air between them thickened with silence.
The heat patch had started to expand in her palm, slowly warming up as it met the cool air.
Katherine unclenched her fist, but Shawnâs grip on her wrist remained steadfast.
âIâm not the villain you think I am. The real problem is that youâre still adjusting to whatâs changed between us.â
Katherine barely heard him, her thoughts scattered as she tried to figure out her next move.
âKatherine, no matter what comes next, I wonât put you in a tough spot. Just take your time and think it through. Iâll leave the country if you donât feel anything for me. You wonât have to deal with me anymore. How does that sound?â
Katherine swallowed hard, inching backward, trying to carve out some space between them.
Her mind raced for an answer, but none came. Luckily, a car horn blared from behind, cutting through the tension. It was her familyâs car. Katherine jumped at the chance to escape.
âLooks like my rideâs here. Iâve got to go. Goodbye!â
With that, she hastily slipped out of the car and jogged away, leaving Shawn behind.
When she stepped into her house, her phone buzzedâShawn, again. It was as if heâd been waiting, counting the seconds since she left.
Feeling a wave of frustration, Katherine bypassed her parents, who were glued to the TV, and stormed upstairs. After changing into her pajamas, she heard her motherâs voice from the hallway.
âKatherine! Shawn just called. He said he couldnât get through to you. Is your phone off? Heâs been worried. Call him back when you can!â
Katherine rubbed her temples, the weight of the situation pressing down on her.
What could she even say?
She and Shawn had been so close for so long that her parents were already in on it. How could she possibly date someone whoâd become more like family? The thought seemed impossible.
What was Shawn really thinking?
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