*Ember*

"Kieran," I said, putting my book down while Kieran headed over to me and sat on the end of the lounge chair next to me. I observed him wondering why his shoulders seemed tense and his body was rigid as he sat down. Maybe he didn't sleep well. I couldn't help but reach out to grasp his arm empathizing with him since I too had been struggling to sleep lately.

"Ember," he said, sucking in a deep breath as my skin touched his. Did he not like it when I touched ...