Whispers in

broke

tangled sheets and the silhouette of Noah still asleep beside her. His chest rose and

of her body ached with memory-his kiss, his touch, the way he whispered her name like

ace, she stared into the mirror. Her reflection looked different-softer, bruised by emot

h stirred. His eyes blinked open, soft and

d, voice rasp

s her chest. "You should get dressed. If so

ting up and raking a hand through his hair. "That

lips twitching. "You do

standing and pulling his shirt over his head. "Because I'd ra

id nothing as he grabbed his jacket and kissed her cheek.

-

y swirling. Eyes followed her as she walked in. Amara forced her c

hissed as she set

and the closest thing to a gossip blog this

night. And guess who else

g glance. "I don't know w

? Everyone saw him leave

ecturer's notes, but it was no use. Lillian was like a

ed with a wink. "Just be careful. You k

er business-but deep down, the warning stung. She did know what they s

-

e art building. It had been their secret spot once upon a time-a sanc

bench when she arrived, twirli

g," he said with a smile that

," Amara replied, sitting be

"Do you r

ng between them

ong pause. "But I don't

ain," Noah said softly. "Not prete

about us, Noah. People talk. And

d I are done. She knows t

going to

ll fight for you, Amara. I did

the warmth he offered. But love wasn't enough. Not always. Not w

-

ara could feel the shift on campus. One glance at her and Noah

xpected text from

gain? Wait till you fin

. She showed the message

," he said. "She's been st

king about? What

tated-t

not what she thinks. It's nothing tha

e how I feel about

her hand, but s

said, her voice quiet but sha

-

contin