“Ace.”
“Everyone thinks I went back to Texas to help my mom. But it’s not true. She had Spence. His family. She was fine. I was the mess. But I let everyone believe it. Better that than the truth, that I had to quit because I couldn’t handle it anymore.”
Moonlight catches Yara’s face, casting a soft glow across her features. “Does anyone know?”
I shake my head before admitting, “No. You’re the first person I’ve told.”
“Ace.” She shifts closer to me. “I’m so sorry you went through all that. But thank you for sharing it with me. For trusting me with it.”
“I thought you should know. That I’m not this brave Delta Force guy, but a coward who bailed on his team. Both teams.”
“Did you think I would judge you?” she asks. “Ace. I left the Army because the idea of going back out on an op made me physically ill. I couldn’t even go back to base without throwing up first.”
“But you had good reason?—”
“So did you.” Yara’s expression turns fierce. “You had every reason to struggle, Ace. And it’s nothing to be—” She sighs. “I judged myself for it. Leaving.”
“You shouldn’t have.”
Her gaze holds mine. “Neither should you. Anxiety, depression, paranoia—they’re all symptoms of PTSD. Andthey’re nothing to be ashamed of, Ace. Not for anyone. Even a badass guy like you.”
“Not so badass.”
“Yes.” Yara moves in front of me and settles on her knees, so her face is level with mine. “Yes, Ace. You are the same brave, selfless, incredible person you’ve always been. And if you need me to remind you of that, I will. Every day. Every hour. As many times as it takes to make you believe it.”
My heart twists. “Yara.”
“We can help each other,” she says. “Because we both understand.”
My throat thickens again. “I always want to help you.”
“And I always want to help you.” Her lips press gently against mine. “You have nothing to be ashamed of, Ace. I mean it. Nothing.”
Emotion wells up inside me, so fast and intense it’s hard to breathe through it. “Yara. Do you know how amazing you are?”
“Doyou?” she shoots back.
“It’s not the same.”
There’s a glint of challenge in her eyes. “Are you calling me a liar?”
“No. Never.”
Her chin lifts. “So I’m right, then.”
My mouth twitches despite itself. “I guess so.”
Yara kisses me again, longer this time. “I’m right,” she affirms. “You’re brave and kind and strong and incredible. And—” She pauses for emphasis. “You’re the best man I’ve ever met.”
“Yara.” I pull her close, bowing my head over hers. “You’re the best person I know. Hands down.”
She tilts her head back to meet my gaze. A wry smile pulls at her lips.
“What?” I ask.
“Well. I was just thinking, since we’re up…”
“BattleBots?”
