Not conditioning.
Not programming.
Not manipulation.
Us.
Real.
Mine.
Her fingers brush lightly across my jaw.
“You kissed me like you were angry.”
I huff out a rough laugh.
“I am angry.”
“Why?”
“Because Wu made you doubt this.”
Emotion flashes across her face instantly.
Then something softer follows.
Something warm.
She touches my face carefully like she still can’t believe I’m real either.
“I think I started falling in love with you before I even remembered who I was.”
Well.
That just punched directly through my chest.
I kiss her again immediately.
Softer this time.
Slower.
Like I finally have something worth surviving for.
Somewhere behind us, Russ mutters,
“About damn time.”
Nobody even looks at him.
39
Hannah
For one tiny moment in the middle of the storm…everything feels still.
Not safe.
