The question hit me like a splash of cold water. I froze. My eyes went wide, and before I could stop it, heat rushed straight up my neck and into my face. My cheeks burned hot, and I knew I was blushing.

I opened my mouth, ready to say something, but nothing came out at first. My thoughts were a mess, tumbling over each other. I couldn’t decide if I was more shocked that he’d asked… or more unsettled by the way he’d asked it.

Finally, I found my voice—barely. “T-that’s none of ...