For a brief, suspended moment, time seemed to stop.
Kirsten froze in place, her eyes widening sharply as she found herself staring straight into a pair of eyes that had just opened, still hazy with sleep.
Their gazes locked.
The air was thick with an unbearable, suffocating awkwardness.
Edmond's brow furrowed instantly, the confusion in his eyes swiftly replaced by clarity and a sharp, assessing focus.
Kirsten's mind went blank for three whole seconds before the realization hit her like a shockwave, sending heat rushing up to her face.
She jolted backward as if burned, stumbling several steps away, her heart pounding so hard it nearly burst from her chest.
"I... uh... I..."
Her words tangled and died in her throat. Without another sound, she turned and fled the room in a panic.
B
