For a moment, I couldn't figure it out.

I mean, yeah—I had to admit it. Over the past few weeks, my feelings for Ryan had definitely grown. I was drawn to him, pulled in deeper every day. I wanted more. More of him.

But... was that love?

Love was supposed to be this powerful, unforgettable thing—something that carves itself into your soul. What I felt for Ryan felt more like an intense pull, maybe even a kind of emotional dependency. I was drawn in. ...