JORDAN
The moment I saw her, my heart did that stupid thing again—skipped a beat like it was auditioning for a soap opera.
She looked… different today. Not in a bad way. Just softer. Her hair was pulled up in this messy twist that somehow made her look even more distracting, and she had this calm, focused expression that made me forget how to breathe for a second.
But right behind that calm? I could see something else—something a little heavier. Like she was carrying a secret no one else could see.
“I see you’ve got a guard now,” I said as she slid into the seat across from me, trying to keep my voice light. “Should I be impressed or worried? I asked again, trying to start up a conversation.”
Her lips curved slightly as she set her books down. “About that…” she said, brushing a
