Being afraid reminds us how alive we are. What makes you afraid, Stasia?” I felt my legs get wobbly.

“Nothing scares me,” I said with as much confidence as I could muster. He definitely terrified me, but only because I didn’t trust my body to function correctly around him.

“Nothing at all?” His gaze intensified.

“Nothing at all.” I straightened and held my chin slightly higher to prove it.

“You’re not a good liar.” He leaned in closer and I could feel his breath on my cheeks.

“What makes you afraid?” I whispered. I was having trouble breathing. His answer was another slow smile. If I moved forward even an inch, his mouth would be on mine. Trying not to hyperventilate, I noticed when his eyes glanced down at my lips. His smile disappeared abruptly and he took a step back. As he turned his attention to the water, I tried to figure out what had just happened. My entire body, humming with electricity, was instantly cooled by the distance he’d put between us.

Author: Kristen Day