Lexi followed his gaze and winced.
“You don’t get to judge me,” she whispered, voice trembling.
Julian looked back at her then, and something flickered in his eyes—hurt, maybe. Or fury. It was hard to tell him.
“I’m not judging you,” he said, voice quieter now. “But don’t pretend like there isn’t something between us. You feel it. I know you do.”
Lexi’s breath caught in her throat.
“Julian…”
He stepped forward again—closer than ever—and gently tilted her chin up. “If you didn’t feel it, you wouldn’t have looked so guilty just now. End things with Ethan.”
Her eyes closed for a moment. Her heart thundered in her chest.
“I need time,” she whispered.
“You already had time,” he replied. “But if you want more… I won’t stop you. Just know—”
He leaned in, his breath warm against her chee
