“Do you care?”
“Not even a little bit.” The only thing I care about is right here in my arms. “Can I tell you something?”
“You’ve been telling me things all night.”
“This is different.” I pull her closer but hold herchin so she’s looking at me because I need her to hear this. Really hear it. “I love how smart you are. Not just book smart, though you’re that too. But people smart. You can read anyone in seconds. See right through their bullshit. You saw through mine from day one.”
“Romeo—”
“I love that you don’t let me get away with anything. That you push back when I’m being an idiot.” My hand tangles in her hair. “I love that you’re scared of getting hurt again but you trusted me anyway. And I’m sorry, so fucking sorry, that I gave you a reason to doubt that trust.”
“We should sleep.”
“In a minute.” I need to get this out while my head’s clear enough, while I can still find the words. “I love how brave you are. How you show up even when you’re terrified. You did that tonight. Came when Marnie called even though you’re still hurt. That takes guts.”
She’s quiet. I can feel her breathing against my chest, steady and real.
“I love everything about you, Juliette. Even the parts you don’t like about yourself. Especially those parts. And I know I fucked up. Know I hurt you. But I need you to know, it’s you. It’s always been you. From the moment I saw you on that ice.”
“You need to sleep.” But her voice is thick, like she’s trying not to cry.
“Will you be here when I wake up?”
“Yes.”
“Will you be here tomorrow? And the day after?”
“I don’t know yet.”
The honesty hurts but I respect it. She’s not ready to promise me forever. And that’s okay. I can wait.
“Okay.” I press a kiss to the top of her head. “As long as you’re here now, that’s enough.”
We drift off together with her head on my chest and my fingersin her hair.
Six AM.
The alarm goes off and this time I’m the one who reaches over to turn it off. She’s still asleep on my chest with her breathing even and deep. I run my fingers through her hair and just watch her. The way the early morning light catches on her face, the way her lips are slightly parted, the way she looks soft and vulnerable in a way she never lets anyone else see.
I could watch her forever. Would watch her forever if she’d let me.
She stirs and opens her eyes slowly, blinking up at me.
“Hey,” I say softly.
“Hey.” She yawns. “How do you feel?”
“Better. Much better.” I cup her face with one hand. “My head’s clear. I can think straight again.”
“That’s good.” She starts to sit up but I hold her there.
“Wait. I need to tell you something. While I can actually form sentences that make sense.”
“Romeo—”
“Please. Just let me say this.”
She settles back down and watches me with those eyes.
