“Do you want me to leave?”
His question makes me whirl around. “No. Why would you ask that?”
“Because you don’t want to look at me and you seem…uncomfortable.”
I shake my head, still not able to string together a complete sentence.
“I’m sorry I barged in here like this. For kissing and touching you without consent. It was unforgivable and I regret it.”
His words are a blow to my hopeful heart, and I stumble. “I understand,” I say, then suck my lower lip into my mouth to stop it from trembling. And I do understand; it’s not like I wasn’t prepared for this scenario. It’s what I’ve been worrying about all night, after all.
He reaches out to me, movements slow and careful as though he fears I’ll bolt like a skittish animal. I can’t meet his gaze, but I can’t move away either.
“I don’t t
