Sara’s POV
The sudden contact sent a jolt through me, and I instinctively pulled away, not ready for this level of intimacy. Not now.
“Mary, I’ll be fine,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside me. “You should go and have a great time.”
Mary hesitated, her gaze flickering between us before she nodded. “Alright, but call me if you need anything, okay?”
I nodded, and with one last glance at Zack, Mary slipped out the door, leaving us alone in the penthouse. The silence that followed was heavy, charged with everything that had been left unsaid between us.
I took a few steps toward the stairs, eager to put some distance between us, but Zack’s voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Sara,” he called softly, his voice cracking. “Please… don’t shut me out.”
I
