~HOLLY~
The silence Gabriel leaves behind is louder than anything he said.
I stand there for a long time.
Too long.
My hand is still resting on the door handle, like if I turn it fast enough, open it again, he might still be standing there.
Like he didn’t just walk away with that look in his eyes… that almost-kiss that never happened.
My chest feels… strange, tight, warm and confused.
I exhale slowly and lean my forehead against the door.
“Get a grip, Holly…” I whisper to myself.
But my voice doesn’t sound convincing.
Because the truth is… I can still feel him.
His arms around me.
The way his hand pressed against my back.
The way he held me like I was something fragile.
Or something important.
And that look…
That look when his eyes dropped to my lips.
My stomach twists.
