‘I love you’

The words staggered Eliza.

She should have expected them, should have known Romano would say them, but for some reason she hadn't and now she had no idea how to deal with them or how to process them, or worse, how to believe them.

Romano smiled bittersweet.

"I know you don't believe me yet," he whispered. "But I'll make it my life's work to convince you."

Romano bent his head and kissed her gently, his lips moist, gentle, and sweet on Eliza’s lips.

Romano raised his head much ...