Cal's POV

Her eyes bore into mine, doe-like and glossing over. She wanted to say something—I knew she did—but she didn’t. Her gaze tore away, but I held onto her all the same.

"Lena, you don't have to pretend with me," I said softly.

I could tell that the party was a lot for her, and I could relate to the social anxiety that parties like this tended to induce. And even though she looked put back together now, I swore I heard ...