Page 30 of Watching You

“I don’t know how to do this,” she whispers. “I don’t know how to let someone in without losing pieces of myself.”

Her voice shakes, but her gaze doesn’t waver.

“But if it’s going to be anyone… I want it to be you.”

Before I can say another word, her pocket vibrates on my leg.

“Sorry, it’s probably Kinsley looking for me,” she winces as she takes the phone from her leggings.

I can read the words upside down.

Kins:

Hey! Where are you? I got back to the room, and you weren’t here.

Shelooks up at me, face lit by the glow of her phone, eyes soft but already retreating.

“I need to go,” she murmurs, voice quiet, like she’s trying not to break the moment even as she’s stepping out of it.

I don’t move.

Not yet.

Because her words—I want it to be you—are still ringing in my head like a vow. And I’m not ready to let her walk away with that hanging in the air.

I reach out, fingers curling around her wrist, gentle but firm. “You just let me in,” I begin. “Don’t shut the door before I’ve even stepped through.”

She swallows, eyes flicking to the screen, then back to me.

“I’m not shutting it,” she counters. “I just… I need a minute. To breathe. To think.”

I nod slowly, jaw tight, heart pounding like I’m already chasing her again.

“Then take your minute,” I reply, voice low. “But don’t pretend you’re walking out of this untouched.”

Her breath catches.

“You’re already mine, Blair. Whether you stay or go—youknowit.”

She doesn’t argue. She just nods, slips off my lap, and walks toward the door like she’s carrying something fragile in her chest.

And I let her go.

For now.

Twelve

Blair

The hallway feels colder than his room. Sharper. Like the air hasn’t been touched by breath or heat or him. I clutch my phone, thumbs fumbling as I text Kinsley back.

Me:

I’m fine. Just needed air. Be back soon.

I don’t say where I was. I don’t say whose lap I was in. I don’t say that I let her brother kiss me like he was rewriting my soul.How could I tell her that?

I turn the corner and run straight into Micah.