Chapter 44. I See the Way You Look at Him

Athena

The casual way he said it, like spending time with me was something he genuinely enjoyed rather than just tolerated, made warmth spread through my chest.

Maybe lunch wouldn’t be as awkward as I’d feared. Maybe we could just be siblings grabbing food together, like normal people did. Maybe I was overthinking everything.

“There’s that new sandwich place down the street,” I suggested. “Leah says their turkey club is amazing.”

“Sounds perfect,” he said, then reached up and gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face.

I froze, shocked by the intimate gesture. My eyes widened as I stared at him, wondering what he was doing, why he was touching me so tenderly when we I thought we’d keep things simple between us.

His eyes locked with mine for a moment that stretched too long, his fingers lingering near my cheek before he slowly pulled his hand back.

“The hair was bothering you,” he explained quietly.

I was surprised again,