Chapter 96

“It’s true…you may be seventeen…”

“Almost eighteen.” I correct him, given my birthday is three weeks away.”

“Apologies…Miss, soon to be eighteen. You’re just a naïve, sweet little innocent who has never lifted her head from her books long enough to gain any world wisdom. It’s not a bad thing….. You have a lot of very innocent qualities because of it that I’m not against.”

“Are you trying to tell me I am immature and inexperienced?” I don’t know if he’s insulting me or complimenting me, given his soft tone and gentle smile while saying all this.

“In some ways…. You need to get out more. Live a little.”

I can’t argue with it. I know I have sacrificed all normal teen social activities to bury myself in schoolwork since our parents married. It was my escape at times, and I missed out on a lot of normal puberty-related milestones.

“I’m here, aren’t I? I'm trying.” Being coaxed out of studying so much, spending time with Dane has slowly changed my persp