Maria's Point of View
I held my breath as the words dangled in mid-air, laden with tension. The soothing rhythm of waves crashing into the shore faded to the background because the moment itself was so heavy. Kairo's hand still rested lightly at my waist slowly slid away, instinctively knowing this was not a conversation to be had between three of us.
Fredrick moved closer, his eyes never leaving mine, filled with something unspoken. He shifted toward Kairo quickly, then glanced down again almost unable to bear to look at the two of us next to each other.
"We need to talk," he reiterated this time voice firmer, no mistaking the weight of his words.
Kairo stepped back and ran a hand through his hair. "I'll give you two a minute," he muttered, dark eyes, but there was a lingering glance
