HE SAID I WAS JUST A BET

Chapter 93: Shadows Between Them

The next day in class, Maria tried to pretend nothing had happened the night before. She sat near the window, eyes fixed on her notebook, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the way Daniel’s hand had lingered—open, patient, uncharacteristically gentle.

She told herself it was just a trick of the moment, a weakness she wouldn’t allow again. But when he walked in, late as usual, her heart betrayed her once more. His eyes found hers instantly, as if the room was filled with no one else.

Daniel didn’t sit with his friends this time. He chose the seat behind her, close enough that she could hear the soft sound of him tapping his pen against the desk. Close enough that when Mr. Tunde asked a question, Daniel leaned forward and whispered the answer, his breath brushing her ear.

Maria stiffened, forcing herself not to turn around. “Stop,” she muttered under her breath.

But Daniel only smirked. “Can’t help it. You make class interesting.”

Heat crept up her neck, and she silently cursed him for knowing how easily he could unsettle her.

At break time, Emeka caught her expression and nudged her playfully. “Why do you look like someone stole your lunch? Or… let me guess. Daniel?”

Maria rolled her eyes. “Don’t start.”

Emeka grinned wider. “I don’t have to start. You already look guilty.”

Before she could answer, Daniel appeared at the doorway, hands in his pockets, gaze locked on her like she was the only person who mattered. The room seemed to shrink around them, pulling her into a silent conversation she wasn’t sure she was ready to have.

Maria’s defenses wavered. She wanted to run, but at the same time, she couldn’t look away. And deep down, she wondered if she was standing at the edge of something dangerous—or something life-changing.