Chapter 21. Seeing Him Again

ARDEN

I had always felt light when I was with Tessa. Comfort brought people freedom, which was why I let my guard down.

I made a mistake.

I quickly covered my mark and turned to her with wide, startled eyes. My mouth opened to speak but shut just as fast. I was at a loss.

My determination to hide my virginity was something I’d clung to the moment I graduated.

Crap. Was Tessa going to reveal it to the whole school? I mean, there was no reason for her to do it, but—

“Please don’t tell anyone,” I pleaded.

“That’s so cool.”

I paused for a while, turning to her with semi-wide eyes. “What?”

The smile on her face was genuine as she lifted her hand. “Can I?” she asked, gesturing to the mark.

I pursed my lips and nodded. “It’s a storm,” she muttered.

“Yeah,” I echoed. “It’s very obvious against my skin, right?”

“It’s pretty,” she said, her smile widening. “Have you been hiding it all this time?”

I nodded with a dej