CASSANDRA’S POV
The moment froze between us. Dylan’s hand gripped tightly around my ankle, the other hovering mid-air as if ready to block an invisible blow. My leg was still raised, arms out for balance, breath caught somewhere in my throat. His eyes locked on mine, unreadable, and my heart thundered in my chest.
Then the door opened—
“What are you two doing?”
Nala’s voice sliced through the tension like a blade.
Dylan and I snapped apart as if we’d been caught committing a crime. He released my ankle abruptly, and I stumbled a little before regaining my balance. Dylan straightened, brushing the front of his shirt with stiff hands like there was dust clinging to it, though we both knew it was just a distraction.
Nala stepped closer, brows furrowed. Her tone wasn’t playful. But there
