"Completely."
"But..." She shook her head, like she was trying to clear it. "Why?"
Shane's throat moved. When he spoke, his voice was rough.
"Because you deserve someone who shows up. And I'd really like to be that person." He paused. "If you'll let me."
The apartment was silent. I could hear my own heartbeat, loud and uneven.
Zoe looked at the flowers. At Shane. At me.
Then she reached out and took the tulips.
"Okay," she said. Her voice was small, but there was something else underneath. Something like hope. "I guess... If you really want to."
"I really want to." Shane stood, and I saw his eyes were bright. He blinked it away. Then he looked at Zoe and smiled. "You might want to fix your mascara first, though. Unless raccoon eyes are in style now?"
Zoe let out a surprised laugh, half sob, half giggle. "You're such a dork."
"I've been told." He smiled at her. "Go on. We'll wait."
Zoe disappeared into the bathroom. I heard the water running.
Shane turned back to me. Held out the roses.
"These are for you."
I took them. My hands were shaking. Tears were streaming down my face, and I didn't even care.
"Shane..." I couldn't get more than his name out.
He stepped closer. His thumb brushed my cheek, wiping away a tear.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
I nodded. Shook my head. Nodded again.
"Thank you," I whispered. "Shane, I don't know how to?—"
"You don't have to say anything."
"But I do." I reached up and covered his hand with mine. "What you just did for her. For us. I don't—" My voice broke. "No one's ever..."
"Hey." He stepped closer. His forehead came down to rest against mine. "This is exactly where I want to be. Okay?"
I closed my eyes. Breathed him in. Soap and something warm underneath. His breath against my lips.
"Okay," I whispered.
We stood there for a moment. Just breathing. His hand was warm against my cheek, mine pressed over it, our foreheads touching. The apartment was quiet around us.
I wanted to kiss him. Wanted it so badly my whole body ached with it.
His thumb traced my cheekbone. I felt him lean closer, felt the air between us thin to nothing?—
"Okay, I'm ready!"
We sprang apart. Zoe stood in the bathroom doorway, mascara fixed, a knowing smirk on her face.
