“What… what are you doing?” I managed to ask, my voice barely steady. Every word trembled, betraying the mix of confusion and fear I felt. I stepped backward as Reggie closed in on me, my feet feeling heavier with every retreating step. My mind screamed at me to get away, to keep moving, but my body felt frozen like it was surrendering to something I didn’t yet understand.
Finally, my heel hit the edge of a chair. I stumbled, teetering, and in that split second, before I would have fallen, Reggie’s hand shot out, catching me and pulling me firmly to him. The sudden closeness sent my heart racing; I was now pressed against him, my head resting on his chest. My mind was in turmoil, but his heartbeat was slow and steady, a stark contrast to my own. He seemed calm, unbothered by the closeness
