I push that thought away too.
Because I’m starting to understand something I didn’t before.
Something I didn’t let myself see.
“This is your life,” I say quietly.
It’s not a question.
Russ watches me carefully.
Like he’s bracing for something.
Like he’s waiting for me to pull back.
To hesitate.
To decide it’s too much.
I hold his gaze.
And I don’t.
“I think…” I start, my voice softer now, but steadier. “I think I knew that before. I just didn’t see before what it means. This is your life. Not just now. Always.”
A flicker of surprise crosses his face.
Barely there.
But I see it.
“I just didn’t understand what it meant,” I finish.
Silence stretches.
But it’s different now.
Not uncertain.
Not fragile.
Something stronger.
His hand moves then—
slow, deliberate—
until it covers mine again.
Warm.
Solid.
Real.
“You do now?” he asks quietly.
I tighten my fingers around his.
