章節 230: The distance and longing

His words broke her trance, and she pulled back instantly. She took a step back abruptly, the warmth of Dylan's touch lingering on her lips. She had let her guard down and allowed herself to sink into the moment, and now her heart was racing with conflicting emotions.

Dylan was nervous in the face of her flustered look. He was afraid she would ask him to leave and that she would refuse to talk to him. "Ava…" He tried to explain.

"It's late," she interrupted. "We should go home." She turned and walked away hurriedly.

Her chest tightened. Though she no longer harbored bitterness toward him, the scars of the past still felt too raw. Gratitude for everything he had done for her wasn't enough—not yet. She couldn't think of starting over with him.