“You have no idea what I’ve done… everything I endured… just to get close enough to know you,” he said, barely above a whisper, but sharp enough to slice straight through my chest.

I froze.

That… was not the answer I expected.

A chill ran down my spine, because there was weight in every word he let out. Heavy. Raw. Unfiltered.

His fingers came up to my cheek, giving it a gentle but firm squeeze, not enough to hurt me, but enough to stop my breath. I stared into his eyes, ...