Allison's POV
I nearly dropped my phone when Bellingham said it.
At first, I thought he was joking—some dry, deadpan humor I'd somehow missed the cue for—but no, his face was dead serious.
The kind of serious he usually reserved for biochemical anomalies or federal grant proposals.
Which made it worse.
"Bellingham," I said, putting my phone down and taking a shallow breath. "I know you've always been incredibly supportive as a friend, but this is dangerous water you're suggesting we wade into. Lucian isn't someone to be trifled with."
Bellingham smiled softly. "Actually, I don't see you as just a friend."
The confession caught me completely off guard, making me feel like a coward as I averted my eyes. "I'm sorry, but I'm not ready for anything like that right now."
