Cassian's teasing words hit Evangeline like a jolt of electricity, making her entire body tense.
Heat rushed to her face at an alarming speed, blooming into a deep flush that spread down her neck, staining her fair skin with a telltale pink.
Her heart stuttered, pounding so hard it felt like it might break free from her chest.
"W-What? Jealous? What are you even talking about?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, utterly unconvincing.
Her gaze darted away, refusing to meet Cassian's, as if afraid that one more second of eye contact would expose every flustered thought running through her mind. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, her posture stiff as she tried—and failed—to compose herself.
"I just think..." she continued, desperately grasping at an excuse. "If you
