Rae's POV
The second the words left my mouth, I saw the shift in him, shoulders tensing, eyes narrowing just a fraction.
"To where?" he repeated, softer but with an edge that made my stomach flip.
I hurried to explain, hands twisting nervously in front of me. "Zara's house. My best friend? I promised her yesterday that I'd come over today. She wants... details," I finished, cheeks burning. "Girl stuff."
His expression softened instantly, relief, then something tender. He closed the distance between us in two slow steps and cupped my face with both hands.
"I'm gonna miss you," he murmured, thumbs stroking my cheeks. "Even if it's only a few hours."
My heart did a ridiculous little somersault. "Really?"
"Really." He brushed his nose against mine. "Let me drive you?"
I blinked up at h
