Page 16 of Simply Yours

Jason listened, fascinated.

“Wow,” he murmured, his lips twitching at the sheer honesty in her voice. “You’velivedyour life, haven’t you?”

Caitlin blinked.

“Haven’t you?”

Jason hesitated, then shook his head.

“No,” he admitted openly. “I don’t think I have – but I’ve decided I’m going to try to.”

She studied him again, something wary and uncertain in her expression.

“That’s great,” she replied warily. “I’m happy for you – you should.”

“I’m moving.”

Caitlin’s breath caught.

Jason watched as her shoulders stiffened, and her eyes darted to his, searching and questioning.

“I’m moving into the old house on the hill,” he continued, his voice steady. “Remember where you saw the wildcat kittens years ago?”

She sucked in a breath. “That house?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh wow…” She shifted slightly, her weight shifting from one foot to the other. “Congratulations.”

They weren’t dancing anymore.

Jason could feel the shift, the way the night seemed to press in closer, the way Caitlin’s eyes searched his like she was trying to figure out what he wasn’t saying. He wasn’t sure why he told her about him moving. He hadn’t told anyone yet – not even his family.

Her lips parted slightly, her throat moving as she swallowed.

“I need to go,” she whispered.

Jason felt the words like a punch to the ribs.

He didn’t argue. Didn’t ask her to stay.

Instead, he nodded, his voice low. “Thank you for this dance.”

Her eyes softened—just a fraction.

“I enjoyed it,” he added.

Caitlin hesitated.

“Maybe you should try it again.”

Jason’s throat tightened. He swallowed, offering a small smile. “My dance partner is leaving, though.”

A beat of silence.

“Yes, she is,” Caitlin murmured, her voice measured, her expression unreadable.

Jason nodded once.

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