That struck a nerve. Her head snapped back toward me, eyes flashing. "That's not fair. Nolan has his reasons."
"I'm sure he does," I said, not bothering to hide my skepticism. "But don't use him as an excuse. If you want to just be friends with me, that's fine. But be honest about why."
"Fine." She squared her shoulders. "I'm scared."
That wasn't what I expected. "Of me?"
"Of this." She gestured between us. "Whatever this is. It's intense and immediate and nothing like what I've ever felt before. And that terrifies me because I've spent years building toward a certain future. A future with someone who makes sense."
"And I don't make sense."
Aurora laughed, but it wasn't a happy sound. "You're the definition of complicated, Rome. You have two girlfriends, unregistered abilities, and you're all over the news for vigilante heroics. Plus, whatever this drain thing is between us feels... dangerous."
"Dangerous how?"
