I swallow the lump that’s forming in my throat with a little of the fruit cocktail. My eyes watch Ethan’s chest rise and fall. His bottom lip twitches. “He’s about the only thing worth a damn in this world.” Tears prick at my eyes. Oh God, am I choking up? I swallow some water and force the tears back.

Clay leans against the wall beside me and stretches his legs out on the moldy carpet. His eyes trail up to the beam of moonlight trickling in from the window above. “You don’t give yourself enough credit. You’re as brave as he is, as kindhearted.” He shifts and a beam of moonlight trickles over his face. Through all this grime, dirt and sweat, he’s one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever seen. I turn my eyes to the carpet. A tear escapes and slips down the bridge of my nose.

I don’t know if it’s the frustration from earlier or the exhaustion from the travel or Clay’s nice comment or all of them combined, but I can’t stop the tears that begin sliding down my face. They trace my cheeks and drip off my chin. I pretend to itch my nose and to wipe some away. They just keep coming.

Clay looks over at me. “Hey, are you crying? Don’t do that.” He digs in his pocket and pulls out a weathered cloth. “Here.”

I shake my head. More tears fall and now sobs threaten to shake out of my chest. I can’t control myself. I put my head in my hands and hunch over, letting the tears fall between my legs and onto the floor.

I feel his arms around me. Tentative at first, then stronger, circling me in an embrace. His body is so warm next to mine. And my heart is pounding. I can smell remnants of his aftershave. I don’t even think. I lean into him. Smell his musky scent. Feel his chest against my shoulder. Then I’m tilting my head, leaning toward him. My cheek brushes against the stubble of his chin. The sweet smell of his mouth intoxicates me. I lift my mouth up to meet his.

He drops the embrace and pulls away. “I don’t …” he stutters. “I didn’t mean …”

Oh heavenly Lord, what have I done?

I jump up, the fruit cocktail clattering from my lap. I run to the door, yank it open and vault into the hallway. I race blindly down the corridor. How could I?

I skid to a stop at the front office. I scramble in and curl myself into a little ball under the desk. In the dark, maybe he won’t be able to find me.