Stolen Moments and a Jealous Gaze

"So you're saying lines were crossed?" Chloe's eyes widened as she leaned closer across the café table. "With Tristan Valois?"

I nodded, clutching my coffee cup tighter. I hadn't planned on telling her about that night, but the weight of keeping everything secret was crushing me. I needed to share at least part of the truth.

"He cornered me after I rejected him. Got aggressive." My voice dropped to a whisper. "If Adrian hadn't shown up when he did..."

Chloe's expression darkened instantly. "That entitled prick! I'll kill him myself!" She slammed her palm on the table, causing nearby students to glance our way.

"Keep it down," I hissed, sinking lower in my seat. "Adrian—Mr. Valois—said he'd handle it."

"Handle it how?" Chloe demanded, though she lowered her voice. "And since when is he 'Adrian' to you?"

Heat crept up my neck. Damn my slip-up. "That's what Leo calls him. I guess it rubbed off on me."