Aria
I hesitated for a moment but then nodded, following Darren as he led me to a fallen log near the edge of the clearing. He sat down and gestured for me to join him. I sat, but kept a small distance between us.
“Listen,” Darren began, “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said the other night.”
My chest clenched at the reminder of that night. “I’m sorry for snapping at you,” I blurted out before he could continue. “I was out of line.”
He shook his head. “No, you had every right to feel the way you did. And I realize now that maybe I haven’t been as fair as I thought.”
I glanced at him, surprised by his admission. “What do you mean?”
He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “I never intended to give you special treatment, Aria. But looking back, I can s
