Was the next step a gentle escalation? A quiet moment of closeness, a tentative touch, or something more immediate? As Betty climbed onto the bed, my mind raced with possibilities, each one tugging at my thoughts, swirling like shadows in the dim room.
Michael still pretended to be unaffected, and I couldn’t figure him out. At this point, why wouldn’t he take charge and draw Betty nearer? Given the situation, she likely wouldn’t pull away; she might even lean into it herself, her resolve softening under the weight of the moment.
But there he was, feigning sleep, eyes shut tight, his face a mask of calm. Could it be that he was having second thoughts at this moment? A pang of conscience, perhaps, gnawing at him beneath the surface? Considering this possibility, I suddenly realized I didn’t understand Michael at all—not his motives, not his heart.