Sienna wasn't sure how long she stared at Ethan after he said those words.
"Then let me help."
It was so simple, so direct. And yet, it threw her into chaos.
She had spent years keeping her emotions locked away, especially when it came to romance. It was safer that way. But Ethan—Ethan wasn't safe.
And she hated how much that thrilled her.
"You really think I'm afraid of my own book?" she finally said, her voice steadier than she felt.
Ethan smirked, leaning in slightly. "I think you're afraid of a lot of things."
Her breath caught, but she forced herself to roll her eyes. "God, you're insufferable."
"And yet, here I am, still helping you."
She scoffed, standing up abruptly. "You're not helping. You're—"
"Getting in your head?" he finished for her, watching her with that knowing look that made her want to both punch and kiss him.
Sienna exhaled sharply, pacing. "This isn't about me. It's about the book."
"Is it?"
She froze.
Ethan stood, his expression unreadable as he slowly approached her. "Tell me something, Sienna. When was the last time you let yourself feel something real? When was the last time you wrote about love like you actually believed in it?"
Her stomach twisted.
She wanted to tell him to stop. To back off. But the problem was…
She didn't have an answer.
Ethan stepped closer, and suddenly, the air between them felt heavier. Charged. "You're scared to write about love because you're scared to feel it."
Sienna swallowed. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't I?" His voice dropped slightly, his eyes locked on hers. "Because if I'm wrong, then why do you look like you want to run right now?"
Damn him.
Damn his stupid smirk and his frustrating ability to read her like an open book.
She forced herself to lift her chin. "I don't run."
Ethan's gaze flickered to her lips. "Prove it."
For a second, neither of them moved. Neither of them breathed.
The space between them was nonexistent.
And then—
Her phone rang.
The sound shattered the moment like glass, and Sienna jumped back as if burned.
Heart pounding, she scrambled for her phone, grateful for the distraction—until she saw the name on the screen.
Caleb.
The ex who had broken her heart. The one who had made her swear off romance for good.
Her grip tightened on the phone.
She could feel Ethan watching her, but she couldn't look at him.
Not now. Not when she suddenly felt like she was standing at the edge of something dangerous.
The phone kept ringing.
And for the first time in years, Sienna had no idea what she was supposed to do.