Chapter 29: You Win Some, You Lose Some

Before the kiss, Byron looked at her like he was a predator who finally caught her, but now he was the prey, helpless in her power.

"You're never quite sure about me," he said, "but can you at least be sure of how I feel about you?"

Emily had not quite recovered from the kiss, and she was almost dazed enough to give in to whatever he wanted, as long as she could experience something like it again.

"That was amazing," she said, "but I think you're asking if we can make our relationship real... and I don't know if I'm ready."

"It felt real to me," Byron said, and she caught the look of despair haunting his eyes. "You still don't trust me?"

"I do," she said, "You've shown me that you care, but it's you I'm worried about."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

They stepped off the bridge, away from the tumult of the water, and sat back against a giant boulder.

"Byron, you try to hide it, but I know there is something troubling you," Emily said. She never expected to have the courage to ta