Chase
For several seconds after Allie said she wanted to stop pretending we were only friends, I forgot how to answer.
We were still standing in the viewing area above the foundation rink, our hands joined between us while children skated below. The noise from the ice sounded distant compared to the single thought repeating in my mind.
She was choosing this.
Not because cameras were watching.
Not because Logan had pushed her toward me.
Because she wanted to.
I tightened my fingers around hers carefully.
“We move at whatever pace feels right to you.”
Allie tilted her head.
“You always say that.”
“Because you keep expecting the answer to change.”
“Maybe I’m testing you.”
“How am I doing?”
“So far?”
“Yes.”
Her mouth curved slightly.
“Better than expected.”
“That sounds insul
