“And then when I came over on Tuesday and…” He lowered his eyes, and his cheeks colored lightly. “And we made out. That was hot and all, but that was … not you at all. I don’t even know if that was me.”

“I know, I know.” Gemma sighed. She wanted to tell him everything, but how could she? How could anyone possibly believe what she had to say?

“What’s going on?” Alex asked, and the desperation in his voice pulled at her heart.

“Do you trust me?”

“Honestly?” He lifted his head and looked her in the eyes. “A few days ago, I would’ve said unequivocally yes. But after what’s been going on lately, I don’t know.”

“I’ve never lied to you.” Then she shook her head. “I mean, maybe I did when I was a little kid. But since we started seeing each other, I haven’t. And I won’t. And I know how crazy everything is, and I don’t know how to explain it to you.”

“You could at least try,” Alex suggested.

“I don’t think I can.”

“Is it me?” he asked. “Or, I mean, is it us?”

“No, no!” Gemma shook her head emphatically.

“Because that’s the only thing that’s really changed. You were normal until we started getting involved.”

“No.” She stepped closer to him, putting her hands on his chest to convince him. “No, it’s absolutely not you. You’re the only thing that’s keeping me sane.”

“Why?” He looked down at her, but he didn’t reach out and touch her the way she’d hoped he would. “How did I suddenly become your grip on normalcy?”

“Because. I think you’re the only person who sees me for who I really am.”

“Gemma.” He breathed deeply and brushed her hair back, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. Something must have occurred to him then, because he looked around. “Wait. What time is it? Why aren’t you at swim practice?”

She smiled sheepishly at him. “I needed to see you.”

“Why? It’s not that I don’t want to spend time with you, but you never skip practice. You love swimming more than you love anything in the world.”

“Well, not anything.” She lowered her eyes and stepped back so she could sit on his bed. “I know that you’re unsure, but can you just trust me?”

He narrowed his eyes, perhaps afraid of what she might be getting at. “How?”

“Let me spend the day with you. Just one day.”

“Gemma.” He laughed a little and shook his head. “I want to spend every day with you. Why is today so important?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Maybe it isn’t.”

“You’re so cryptic lately.”

“Sorry.”

“All right, then.” He scratched the back of his head, then sat down on the bed next to her. “So what do you want to do today?”