“You don’t need to be afraid of me, Charlotte.”

“I—I’m not,” she stuttered.

“I see the look in your eyes when I move toward you too quickly. I try to give you your space because I know that feeling inside your chest when terror grips your heart,” he whispered, holding his hand near his chest. “It’s all you can do to stop yourself from running.”

“I’m not afraid of you, Mack. I just know it’s smart to keep you at arm’s length. I don’t trust easily, but I trust you. That scares me more than anything.”

“Because trusting me means I could hurt you?” Her head barely tipped in acknowledgment. “I wouldn’t do that, Charlotte. I’ve been where you’re at.” He held up his hand to stem her words. “I mean that I’ve been hurt by the people who were supposed to look out for me. The feeling of betrayal is so powerful you can taste it. That’s when you realize the only person you can trust is yourself. Am I close?”