Part of me wanted to hear a more in-depth answer—I wanted him to tell me yes, to pledge his undying love and tell me he would wait forever. But mostly, I was grateful he was making the situation easier on me, because I loved Adam.

  “Thank you for taking me home,” I told him, squeezing his hand. “I know it’s hard for you to understand, but I need to be with my family.”

  “And your boyfriend. I get it.”

  My heart broke at the pain in his voice.

  “Rylie, my father is only giving you a couple of years. You’ll have to come back.” He finally looked my way.

  I stared at his face, taking in every detail. I wouldn’t see him again for at least two years, or maybe never again, if I could find a way out of the deal.

  I couldn’t tell Kallan that I didn’t want to come back. I couldn’t tell him that I planned to find another way out of this mess. I wondered if my silence was answer enough.

  Because I also couldn’t tell him that maybe I loved him, too.