KATE
I wishedI could read Drew's mind, to know what he was thinking. He had deepened our kiss so far that I didn't know if there was anywhere left for us to go but down the path I knew we'd regret in the morning. He was getting engaged to someone else. In just a few more minutes.
He was going to give away the proposal that should be mine.
"What are we doing?" I asked, my voice coming out shakier than I'd planned.
He sighed, his expression torn. When he opened his eyes, pain reflected in them. "I don't know." He stepped back, giving us space. His chest heaved as if he was having a hard time catching his breath. "I know we need to stop."
I drew in a ragged breath and urged my heart to calm down. If it kept going at this rate, I was going to have a heart attack.
He brushed stray hairs away from my cheek and sighed. "I—" He pinched his eyes shut for a moment before opening them again. I'd never seen so much desire in them before.
"Did we almost…?" I couldn't say the words. It was too much like admitting we'd almost crossed the line into a territory we weren't meant to cross.
He shook his head. "We were close."
"But you said you were waiting until you're married."
"I know, that's still my plan. I—I just want you to know that I want it to be with you."
My heart didn't have a chance to slow down, because it was off to the races again. Was he saying he wanted to marry me?
Drew stared at me for a long moment, as if getting up the courage to say something. He looked down and linked our hands together then sighed again before meeting my gaze. "Tell me not to do it. Tell me not to propose."
My heart stopped. My whole body went still, and all I could think was,I shouldn't have to tell you. You should pick me first.
There was a knock on the door. Drew bolted away from me, nearly tripping over one of the chairs. I slid off the dresser and smoothed my hair as I watched Drew answer the door.
"It's time to go now." I heard Alexis's voice on the other side of the door. "Go ahead and get in the car with Oliver. I need to talk to Kate for just a moment."
My stomach twisted with dread.
Did Alexis know?
Who cares if she knows.
When Drew turned back to put on his suit coat, I rose to help him. I needed to tell him not to do it.
But Drew had his jacket on in a matter of seconds and was just about to walk out the door before he turned back and swept me into his arms.
"Everything will work out," he whispered in my ear. And then as he pulled away, his fingers trailed down my arms until they reached one of my hands, which he squeezed three times.
Then he disappeared out the door.
Had Drew just squeezed my hand three times on purpose? The three squeezes that meantI love you?
He knew about the gesture. He'd been there when I had told the story to Decklan and Tayden. Had he just told me that he loved me?
And now he was going off to propose to Gwen?
Desperation bubbled up in my throat, almost choking me. If I told him that I loved him, would it stop him from going through with the proposal?
Was I losing him because I'd been too scared to trust him?
I wanted to run after Drew, to tell him that I loved him too, but Alexis was blocking the door.
"Is everything okay?" Alexis asked, seeming to take in my distress.