“I thought at first you came here only for Aria,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady but soft. “What made you change your mind… and stick around for me?”
The question lingered in the air for a second longer than I expected. He shifted in his seat, and I watched his face—his jaw flexed, his hazel eyes flickered with something unspoken—and then I saw it. The faintest blush climbing up his neck and painting his cheeks with warmth.
Was I really the one making him blush?
A teasing smile played at my lips, and I opened my mouth to poke at him for it—but he beat me to it, his voice calm and low, but honest.
“You just… didn’t seem to belong here. You didn’t look insane. If anything, you looked lost. Hurt. But not crazy,” he said, eyes focused like he was trying to study me and memorize me
