Friends with Benefits
"The rules are the only thing keeping us safe. If we throw away the contract, if we let this become something real... what happens when it ends? What happens when you realize I’m still the rigid, emotionally stunted person you ran away from two years ago?"
I stared at her, my heart breaking a little at the raw fear in her voice. She wasn't acting cold because she didn't care. She was acting cold because she was utterly terrified of losing our friendship again.
"I didn't run away from you two years ago, Khali," I said softly, reaching out to touch her arm, but she stepped back, breaking the contact before I could brand her skin again.