“You didn’t have to this time.”
And that—
That hits deeper than anything else.
Ace
She’s shaking.
Trying not to.
But I feel it.
Every small tremor.
Every uneven breath.
And it does something to me I don’t like.
Because I let her get that close.
I let him touch her.
I let it happen.
My jaw tightens.
“Tessa.”
She pulls back slightly, just enough to look up at me.
Her eyes are softer now.
Still heavy with everything that just happened—
But clearer.
Stronger.
“You okay?” I ask.
She huffs a quiet breath. “You keep asking me that.”
“Because I need to hear it.”
Her gaze lingers on mine.
Longer this time.
“I’m okay,” she says.
And this time—
I believe her.Silence stretches between us.
Not awkward.
Not tense.