“What are you talking about?” I shot back, feigning composure.

Eric leaned in closer and the warmth of his breath brushed against my ear, sending an unwelcome shiver through me. He murmured against my ear, “You seem distracted. I thought maybe you saw someone you know.”

That feeling of being watched crept back over me again. I instinctively took a step back, putting space between me and Eric, as if I shouldn’t have been so close to him.

But then I scolded myself ...