"How... how are you doing?" Liam asked, his voice trembling as he wiped hastily at the tears threatening to spill from his eyes. In the afternoon light, they glistened like tiny crystals.
"I'm... good," Scarlett replied awkwardly, painfully aware of the gulf between them – not just the physical space, but the emotional chasm that had opened since that terrible day with Claire. She noticed his gaze drift past her to where Lucien stood watching them, something complicated passing across his features. Fear? Concern? She couldn't quite read it.
Liam took a shaky breath, seeming to gather his courage. His hands were trembling at his sides, and his East Haven uniform looked rumpled, as if he'd been running his hands through his hair all day. "I'm sorry," he finally burst out, the words seeming
