Nevaeh understood all of this perfectly.
She knew grandpa was a wise man, and that's why she respected him so deeply.
Just as she was about to pull her hand back from his shoulder, Cassius suddenly caught it. He held her hand tightly, feeling the warmth and softness of her palm.
His heart began to beat a little faster, and even the way he looked at her changed, becoming deeper, almost dreamy.
He slowly leaned down, drawing closer to her.
Their eyes met, their breaths mingling in the tiny space between them. The air seemed to freeze for a moment, totally filled with a tense, electric ambiguity.
Feeling the shift in his gaze, Nevaeh's own heart started to race.
She quickly averted her eyes, trying to escape his hold, wanting to pull her hand back and just flee from the intensity.
But just as her hand slipped away, he grabbed her shoulder firmly. His hand slowly rose, and in her wide-eyed surprise, he didn't kiss her.
Instead, he gently stroked her long hair.
