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Against my better judgment, I do. “No, Sophie. It has nothing to do with your birthday, but everything to do with you. I left because I wanted you. I wanted you more than I could control.”
“And you told my dad that?
I don’t answer.
“Samuel.”
“He saw me looking at you.”
“At the party?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
The memory remains painfully clear.
Doug cornered me in his garage after the last guest left. His face was white with fury. He didn’t ask what I felt. He already knew. He told me Sophie trusted me. That she was eighteen and I was old enough to know better. He said if I valued our friendship, I would stay away from her.
He didn’t need to threaten me. He was right.
“He told me to leave you alone.”
“And you did.”
“For three years.”
“Until you started stalking me. That’s how you knew men were following me, huh?”
“Yes.”
A strand of wet hair sticks to her lips. Before I think better of it, I reach up and brush it away.
My knuckles graze her cheek. Sophie stops breathing and so do I.
Her skin is cold and soft beneath my hand. My thumb lingers near the corner of her mouth. I’ve wanted to touch her like this for so long that the reality feels sacred.
“I tried,” I say quietly.
Her eyes hold mine. “Tried what?”
“To stay away.”
Something flickers in her expression. “You’re very bad at it.”
“Yes.”
Her lips tremble. Not from fear this time. At least, I don’t think so.
I pull my hand away before wanting becomes taking. “We need to go.”
I turn my back and start walking. If I don’t leave now, I’ll lose every thread of self restraint that I have.
CHAPTER
FOUR
SOPHIE
