INE'S
ammered, turning fully to his d
between us, the faint clinking of cutlery and the distant murmur from upstairs making everything else feel miles awa
lls I'd built my whole life. "With who? I... I don't know what you're talking ab
flinch. "You really wanna play that game? Fine. I'll go
d my hands in desperation. "Okay, okay, okay. I'll tell you everything...
n. There was no patience here, just t
together nervously. "This place isn't safe
y every thought. "Fine," he said at last, throwing his hands up in mock surrender, "but
a solid explanation. Something believable, something that could
l threads of conversation. Plates clinked, silverware scraped, laughter mixed with
so much time," I mum
, her words sharp and deliberate, her smirk cutting like a knife. I turne
- seating arrangements, guest lists, floral patterns. I tried desperately to blend in, to become invisible
reath stolen under the pressure of knowing what had just happened in the bathroom. The ki
ubtly observing, like he always did. He'd known me since we were kids - better tha
He always looked out for me, even when I was an u
departure threading tension through the room. "Dinner has been nice so far; I hop
been... pleasant." His voice carried the usual stiffness,
clear, piercing through the lingering tension. "I want to
ised elegance flickering with approva
onversation. "I won't be available. I'll be moving to Canada tomorrow,
ose slightly. "It's okay, Cal
ecessary," Mrs. Halston added smoot
alston interjected. "But
his father, pleading with hi
ten and twist uncomfortably. I looked away, forcing a smile, even as a part of me felt a strange, guilt
airs, Betty and Mom vanished, probably discussing wedding plans with giddy excitement. Dad settled into his chair
e kitchen. And the tension crackled
ng to find normalcy in the clinking plates. Jeremy, however, d
ht, then why bother helping with the dishes?
been wondering," he said, eyebrows lifting, "what possible reason c
, firing waves of heat and shame. My cheeks flushed crimson. "Isn't that... what happened in the
my hands, trying to hide my embarrassme
," he countered with a
hen island, feeling the wood cool beneath my palms.
xpression that made me roll my ey
sharply, mortified. "What is it
nrepentant. "
erate. But he only shrugged, that knowing, teasing s
I murmured, voice softer now, "Calhoun and I knew each other way before I eve
stantly, realization dawn
. "And I didn't even think he'd still recogni
s his face. He perched on the edge of the island, elbows restin
est friend, my confidant...because I knew the answer: no matter how hard I tried to suppre
, voice gentle but firm. "Whatever it is you're doing, just r
I do?" My voice cracked, betraying the uncertainty I t
I know will figure it out herself, regardless of what other people think." He smiled brief
aybe I could figure this out. Maybe I could navigate this storm of heartache, lust, and guilt the same wa
y. No matter how w
ant loving th

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