I extend my hand to her dad, and he shakes it wordlessly with a nod. He’s wearing a polo shirt and jeans like he’s trying to give the appearance of casual, but he’s all upper class and money. Finally, he says, “Pleasure to meet you.”

Chloe rolls her eyes when her mom gives her a thumbs up like she approves of me.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, just wanted to give you this.” I hand her the note folded up intricately like a heart, courtesy of Wes and his random origami skills.

“Thanks.” Chloe takes the note and we stand there awkwardly until I back away. “I’ll talk to ya later. It was nice to meet you both.”

I stop outside her closed door and bring my palm to my forehead. Stupid. Stupid.

She said she needed time and space, and what do I do? I stop by unannounced like some creeper. I just want her to know how I feel and what’s at stake for me.

She’s so much more than a girl I’m dating. I call her my princess, but I’m not the white knight. She is. She saved me.

“Hey.” Chloe slips out of her room and shuts the door behind her.

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine. You would have met them eventually, right?”

“I would have?”

She looks at me with a curious stare. “Yeah, of course. I guess we haven’t talked about it, but they’re my parents. Don’t worry, they aren’t expecting marriage and babies just because I introduced you.”

She has no idea that those things with her don’t really scare me. With her, nothing does.

“Honestly, I didn’t know where we stood so I was surprised you introduced me at all, let alone as your boyfriend.”

Her features soften.

“You said you needed time and space and here I am crowding you.”

“I get it. It’s hard to stay away for me too. Look, Nathan, I do need time to process everything, but it doesn’t mean I’ve deleted your number or that I’m going to pretend there’s nothing between us.”

“I’m so sorry. I know I’ve said it a million times, but I am. I need you to know that I’m sincere. I never wanted to hurt you.”