“There. Perfect.”
The rod was slightly crooked.
I decided not to mention it.
I helped him slide the curtains into place.
Then I looked at the window, at the house next door, and at the man standing beside me.
“Close them,” I said.
Caleb turned.
“Why?”
“Because I need to tell you something.”
He pulled the curtains together.
The room became dim.
Outside, a lawn mower rattled down the street. Somewhere nearby, a dog barked.
I could hear my own heartbeat.
“Caleb, I need you to know that I have feelings for you.”
He went completely still.
I continued before I lost my nerve.
“I know you’re with Delaney. I know this is wrong to feel, and I haven’t done anything about it. I won’t. But pretending I don’t feel anything has become exhausting, and I needed to tell you so I could stop lying to myself.”
He lowered the drill.
