"You didn't say anything back." Maddox’s body language screamed vulnerability.
"I know," Jade said quietly.
Maddox looked down at her coffee. "Is that...are you saying you don't?—"
"No." Jade set her mug down and stepped closer. "No, that's not what I'm saying."
Maddox's eyes came up to meet hers, guarded and waiting.
"I'm not good at saying things in the moment," Jade said. "I need to think first and make sure I mean them before I speak."
Something shifted in Maddox's expression. It wasn’t quite relief, but close. "Okay."
"Is that okay? That I need time?"
"Yeah." Maddox set her mug down, too, and reached for Jade's hand. "Yeah, that's okay."
Jade threaded their fingers together. "I just need to be sure. Not about how I feel, just about saying it out loud."
Maddox nodded slowly, understanding crossing her face. "Your ex."
"She made me feel like I was always too much," Jade supplied. "So I'm careful now. Sometimes maybe too careful."
"You're not too much," Maddox said, quiet but firm.
The words settled something in Jade's chest. She stepped closer, bringing their joined hands up between them. "Thank you for telling me, for being brave enough to say it first."
“It felt terrifying.”
"I know." Jade kissed her, brief and soft. "I'm glad you did anyway."
When they pulled apart, Maddox's expression had softened. It was still uncertain, but less defensive.
"We should probably get ready," Jade murmured. "You have a shift, and I have clients."
Maddox groaned. "Do we have to?"
"Unfortunately." Jade smiled, squeezing her hand before letting go. "You need to get home and check on Zeus before going to the station."
"He's probably pissed that I didn't come home last night." Maddox smiled.
They moved around each other while getting ready, Jade showering first while Maddox found her clothes from yesterday, wrinkled on the floor. When Jade came out in her robe, Maddox slipped past her into the bathroom.
Jade got dressed quickly, choosing a soft olive blouse and dark jeans, something professional enough for the office. By the time Maddox stepped out of the shower, Jade was pulling her hair back.
"You look nice," Maddox said from the doorway.
Jade met her eyes in the mirror. "Thanks. You look like you need to change before shift."
"Yeah." Maddox glanced down at yesterday's clothes. "I definitely need to stop home first."
They stood looking at each other for a moment. The conversation from the kitchen still hung between them: Jade's need for time, Maddox's patience with it.
"Text me later?" Jade asked. "During lunch?"
"Yeah." Maddox crossed to her, hands settling on Jade's hips. "I'd like that."
Jade turned in her arms and kissed her. When they pulled back, she could see the question still lingering in Maddox's expression—uncertainty about what this morning meant and whether Jade would ever be ready to speak her feelings.
