He placed his hands on both sides, trapping me. He looked in my eyes—as if he was speaking to me without words.

I frowned, not because I didn’t understand, but because I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Despite everything, his eyes were filled with love and longing.

I tried to look away, but he held my chin, not letting me avoid him.

“Here?” I asked softly, slightly embarrassed. “Or somewhere else? Like a coffee shop?”

“No." He shook his head. "I prefer it here.”

On second ...