Chapter 45. Remembrance

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Braze stammered, “Let me get you some ice or something.”

Layla, her lips swollen and bleeding, hesitated for a moment. “No, no, I’m fine,” she replied, attempting to hide her discomfort. “It’s just a small cut.”

Braze hurriedly fetched a tissue to help stem the bleeding from Layla’s swollen lip. His hands shook slightly as he gently dabbed at the cut.

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he said, still visibly flustered.

Layla managed a weak smile despite the discomfort. “It’s alright, accidents happen.”

But the sight or perhaps the smell of her blood was making him uncomfortable. His throat dried up. Or perhaps it was the fact that he was too close to her face, his breath bouncing off her face.

The silence between them grew increasingly awkward and we know it wasn’t for the first time.

As Layla looked up at Braze, her eyes fluttered. She looked away and then looked back when he wasn’t looking.

Finally, ra