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He turned toward me fully.

“That’s why I’m staying.”

My breath caught.

“Noah.”

“I chose your apartment because you felt safe. I chose your bed because I slept better beside you. I chose the yard because I knew the work.”

He took a breath.

“I’m choosing you now because I know you.”

I could not speak.

His voice became less steady.

“Not all of you. Not six years. But enough to know what I want.”

“What do you want?”

He gave me a nervous smile.

“A word.”

“What word?”

“Boyfriend sounds too young.”

“It does.”

“Partner sounds like we’re discussing taxes.”

“We often are.”

“Stop.”

I smiled despite the pressure in my chest.

Noah rubbed his thumb across my knuckles.

“I want us to be together because I said yes today. Not because a photograph says we were.”

“We are dating.”

“I know.”

“I sleep in our bed.”

“Yes.”

“We kiss in the workshop.”

“Frequently.”

He looked exasperated.

“Reid.”