Silence stretched between them, heavier than any argument they had ever endured. She could hear the rhythm of his heartbeat against her shoulder, steady, patient, as though it was waiting for her answer. She hesitated, her breath trembling, but eventually gathered the courage to turn around and face him. The simple movement made his heart leap, pounding with a rush of excitement he could barely contain.

Slowly, she lifted her face, her eyes meeting his in the dim golden glow of the kitchen ...