Hope stared at Andrey with her blue eyes, her voice soft but sincere. "Andrey... I also feel like I'm needed. So if something comes up, just tell me, okay?"
Andrey's heart pounded in his chest. His pulse quickened, his breath caught, and something in his chest loosened. He wanted to step closer. He wanted to close the distance between them and kiss her.
Hope felt the shift in the air. Her cheeks flushed, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her tank top. Her voice came out nervous, almost breathless.
"Andrey...?"
They leaned toward each other. Their faces inches apart. Hope's eyes fluttered half-closed. Andrey's gaze dropped to her lips.
And then—
His phone rang.
Loud. Sharp. Insistent.
They both jolted apart, the moment shattering like glass. Hope turned away quickly, her hand pressed to her burning cheek. Andrey fumbled for his phone, his fingers clumsy, his face flushed.
He glanced at the screen. Sarah's name. Of course.
