Our eyes met for a moment, and then I realized what I'd said. I shook my head quickly, whispering that this shouldn't be happening. I placed the award on the nearby table and turned to leave.

Then… then… he pulled me back by the waist. I shuddered at his touch and tried to pull away, but he didn't move. He sighed and turned me to face him.

“Say it,” she said.

At that point she was confused. Say what?

“What?”

He gripped my jaw and lifted my face. “What you’ve been keeping to yourself.”

I looked