Gavin looks up the second we walk in.
And heknows.
He doesn’t say anything at first. Just watches me with that big-brother, commander, human-lie-detector stare that has made grown men confess to crimes they didn’t commit.
“You look… different,” he says finally.
I freeze for half a second, then recover. “Good different or ‘we need to talk’ different?”
“Both,” he says.
Harper’s lips twitch. Kayley tries very hard to look innocent.
Chase says nothing. Just stands next to me, solid and steady.
Gavin steps closer. “Fi.”
“I’m fine,” I say quickly. “Really. Better than fine.”
He studies me. “You sleeping okay?”
“Yes,” I say, which is the truth.
“Eating?”
“Yes.”
“Still scared?” The question is quieter. More careful.
I hesitate. “Less.”
He nods slowly, then lowers his voice. “You don’t have to protect me from the truth.”
I swallow. “I’m not. I just… I don’t want to talk about it yet.”
“Why?”
I glance at Chase before I can stop myself. He doesn’t look away. Doesn’t push. Just lets me decide. “Because I don’t know what this is yet,” I say honestly. “And I don’t want to make it… a thing before I know it’s real.”
Gavin’s gaze flicks between us. Understanding dawns. His jaw tightens a little, but his voice stays even. “Is it serious?”
I take a breath. “It could be.”
He looks at Chase now. Long. Measuring.
Chase meets his eyes without flinching. “I won’t hurt her.”
“I know,” Gavin says. Then, to me, “Just don’t shut me out, okay?”
“I won’t,” I promise.
Before the moment can get any heavier, the door opens and Silas walks in with a look of seriousness.
“We’ve got chatter,” he says. “It’s not just rumors anymore.”
The room shifts. Everyone’s attention sharpens.
“About what?” Gavin asks.