"I would rather enjoy your company than stay at a party where you aren’t," Jayden said, his voice soft but earnest. As soon as the words left his mouth, panic gripped him. *What if she doesn’t feel the same? What if I’m reading this all wrong?* His palms grew warm, and a nervous sweat pricked at the back of his neck. "I… I’m sorry," he added quickly, his voice trembling as self-doubt clouded his mind.

Rose didn’t respond right away. Instead, she exhaled a shaky breath, her ...