Ethan's POV

When Katelyn agreed we should just be friends, I felt the words cut through me, but I still nodded. I didn’t trust myself to speak much. If I said too much, I might’ve tried to change her mind right there.

She reached out her hand. “We’re friends,” she said with a small smile, like she was trying to make it easier for both of us.

I forced myself to take her hand. “Friends,” I repeated, though the word felt heavier than it should.

We let go, and the conversation moved ...