She shifted just enough to bring a hand up and swipe at her tears, the other hand gripping at Ace’s shirt. Her throat ached with the effort of holding back more tears, and her head throbbed. “Ace, I — how do I even know who to believe?
“I believed him, and this — how many times — ” Her voice broke again. “I just want someone to care about me.”
The lad didn’t have an answer for Summer. Gaze locked on what was beyond the railing, his arms tightened around her waist in an effort to make her feel more… secure.
In the most platonic way possible, of course.
Not really.
“And you’ll find that someone in due time. But rushing it leads to regret and hurt. Let them… come to you.”
“I don’t — know how,” she confessed. The accompanying laugh was bitter. “Apparently I want too much, I’m … clingy.” She realised she was holding on to Ace’s shirt, and let go, hastily. Colour stained her cheeks, and she looked up at him. “You’re still holding me,” she said, low.