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Nothing happened that night. I think we both knew we had gotten dangerously close to the fire. He walked me back to my dorm room and hugged me good night, and then he walked back home alone to get ready for his job.
I didn’t invite him up, and he didn’t ask. I offered to drive him home, but he declined.
That was probably for the best. My emotions were too raw, too vulnerable. If he had tried to kiss me, I would have given in, completely and with abandon.
And if he’d come up… and if Shanna hadn’t been in the room… I’m not sure what would have happened.
So I was glad he hadn’t come up to the room.
Even so, I ached deep inside until hours later, when I finally fell asleep.