I don’t look away.
“I did.”
Her breath catches slightly.
Just enough for me to notice.
Always enough.
“And you still do?” she asks.
Quiet.
But not unsure.
Just… needing to hear it again.
I step closer.
Closing the last bit of distance between us.
“Yeah, I love you,” I say.
Simple.
Certain.
Her hand lifts slightly—
Then hesitates.
Just for a second.
I take it.
Thread my fingers through hers.
Hold on.
Because I’m not letting this slip away.
Not after everything.
Her breath softens.
Her shoulders relax just a fraction.
“You’re not going to pretend this is nothing,” she says.
Not accusing.
Just making it clear.
“No,” I answer.
“Good.”
A beat.
