#Chapter 84 Neil

Renee I swallowed hard. And suddenly, everything I’d been holding at arm’s length, all my feeling seemed to melt and swell, warm and burn in my chest. The way Dominic made my heart ache, the mark, the kiss on the beach-- it all came rushing forward. Before I could think, I answered. “Yes,” I said quietly. “I have feelings for Dominic.” The words sat between us like a live wire. My chest tightened. I searched Neil’s face, waiting for his expression to shift, to harden, to shut down. But it didn’t. Not exactly. His jaw worked for a moment, like he was biting back a thousand different reactions. “Right,” he said finally, voice even but tense. “Okay.” I pressed my palms against the table. “Is that going to be a problem?” Neil didn’t answer immediately. He looked away, then ran a hand through his hair, clearly trying to organize his thoughts. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I’m… unsettled. And frustrated.” I flinched. “Because of the age gap?” He looked back at me sharpl