She swung into me, a little gasp of a cry bounding out of her as I caught her and held her steady.

“I’m sorry, I—”

“No, I’m sorry,” I said, holding her slight arms in mine.

She was sipping shallow breaths, eyes glossing over as she avoided my gaze. It fucking killed me to see her like that.

To know I was the reason.

“Hey,” I said, tilting her chin with my knuckle.

I waited until her eyes met mine, and one tear slid silently down the edge of her cheek before she batted it away.

“I’m sorry,” I repeated, eyes searching hers. “I’m sorry.”

Her breathing slowed, just a bit, one long exhale finding her before she collapsed into me. I caught her in a fierce hug, wrapping her up in my arms like I could shield her from what was hurting her.

Like it wasn’t me who was the culprit.

She shook in my arms, sniffing against tears I knew she was angry for shedding. She swiped them away as quickly as they could come, but didn’t break from my embrace. She let me hold her, let me smooth my hand along her spine until she calmed, until her breaths were more even and her body was still.

“God, I’m a mess,” she said when she finally pulled back, but she didn’t put much space between us. She just dipped her face into her hands, shaking her head.

“I went too far.”

“No,” she tried, but then she sighed, finally meeting my gaze. “Yes. But it’s not your fault.”

“It is. I got carried away.”

“I was playing into it just as much.”

I shook my head, ready to argue, but all words died in my throat when Giana beat me to it.

“I’m a virgin.”

I blinked, shocked, unsure I heard her correctly. But when she stared up at me unwavering, sorrow and shame coloring her cheeks, I knew I hadn’t misheard.

Something feral roared inside me, the teeth of it bared as I clenched my jaw against it threatening to break out of its cage. A long, searing inhale forced it back down.

“I know,” Giana said, folding her arms over her chest as she caved in on herself. “It’s embarrassing.”

I immediately reached for her, lifting her chin until she was looking at me again. “Why would you say that?” I asked, brows bending together as I searched her gaze.

“Because I’m a sophomore in college and I haven’t had sex,” she answered bluntly.

I shook my head, letting out the breath I’d inhaled before I pulled her into me for another hug. “It’s not something to be embarrassed about.”

“Well, it feels like it.”

“It’s not,” I reiterated, and then I pulled back, framing her arms in my hands. “Thank you. For telling me.”

She nodded, swallowing as her eyes fell to the ground between us.