Emma:
The moment stretches.
Like the entire world is holding its breath, waiting to see what we do next.
Kaden’s hand is still around mine—big, warm, steady—and I swear my pulse is trying to climb into his palm just to stay close to him. The cab is dim except for the glowing dashboard, and all I can see is him. The cut of his jaw. The shadow of stubble. The way his eyes are dark and too honest.
“Emma,” he whispers again, but it’s different this time.
Not a warning.
Not a plea.
A confession.
My voice barely works. “Yeah?”
He looks at me like he can’t decide whether to kiss me or pray for the strength not to.
“You should go inside,” he murmurs. “Before this gets… harder.”
My breath catches.
Before this gets harder.
Before I get harder.
Those words sit between us like a match on
