The drive to work from Ant’s house is longer than from Newton Road, but I don’t mind one bit. I love the slow, winding descent into Malvern—the way the hills peel back and the town spreads out below like it’s rolling out a welcome mat just for me. My heart still feels swollen from last night, from those three words that keep looping through my mind like the sweetest secret I’ve ever been given.

So many times this week I almost cracked and spilled everything to Janie. I wanted to sit her down, look her in the eye, and tell her exactly what Ant has planned for me this weekend. But every time the words rose in my throat, fear clamped them down hard. What if she stops seeing us as some whirlwind fairy tale? What if she looks at me—at *him*—and sees something dirty instead of romantic? What if she decides I’m just a slut who’ll spread her legs for any cock he points at me?