Allie
I woke up with my fingers pressed against my lips.
For several seconds, I did not remember why.
Then the treatment room returned in pieces.
Chase standing close enough that I could feel his breath. His hand hovering near my cheek instead of touching me without permission. The quiet way he had asked, Is this okay? The warmth of his thumb against my skin.
And then the kiss.
I closed my eyes and pulled the blanket over my face.
I had kissed Chase Ryder.
Not accidentally.
Not because cameras were watching.
Not because anyone had pressured me.
I had looked at him, felt everything I had been trying not to feel, and closed the distance myself.
The memory sent a warm flutter through my stomach.
Then guilt followed immediately.
It moved through me so quickly that the excitement
