SEVENTY FIVE

KIERA’S POV

The next thing that followed was a chortle of laughter, uncontainable until I was practically doubled over.

Gabriel squinted in confusion, clearly thrown off as I continued to laugh maniacally, clutching my stomach.

“O… OmG… that..” I gasped, still pointing at him as if he were the punch line to a joke.

“That’s the most… the most hilarious thing I’ve ever heard.”

But as my laughter began to fade, I noticed the serious look on his face, and suddenly my giggles felt inappropriate like I was laughing at a funeral. An awkward silence settled between us, and I was left fidgeting with my hair, my lips pressing together as I cleared my throat, avoiding his piercing gaze.

“You.. umm.. you’re not joking?” I finally managed to ask, my eyes flitting around like a trapped bird looking for a way out.

“Why would I want to joke with something as delicate as this?” He replied, his voice steady, almost too steady.

My heart tumbled into my stomach, it was as if he’d thrown a grenade into my