The music from the party downstairs leaked through the hallway, laughter and chatter weaving into the tension in my chest. Ryan followed closely behind me, his presence steady, controlled, impossible to ignore. Every time I thought I could calm myself, he reminded me why I couldn’t.
“You’re nervous,” he said quietly, eyes scanning the crowd ahead, tone even but deliberate.
“I’m not,” I muttered, though my fingers fidgeted with the strap of my bag. “Just… aware of how many people are watching.”
“Aware doesn’t work,” he said softly, taking a step closer. “Not when you’re standing near me, not when you’re thinking about me the way I know you are.”
I froze, heart hammering, and for a moment I considered turning around and running back up the stairs. But the pull between us was too strong,
