And I realize —
I’m crying.
I didn’t even notice.
He wipes my cheek with his thumb.
Doesn’t pull his hand away after.
Just — keeps it there.
Cupped against my face.
Warm.
His eyes moving over mine like he’s trying to memorize something.
Like he knows this is temporary and can’t stop himself anyway.
Something shifts in his expression.
Not teasing.
Not distant.
Something open.
Something that looks almost like want.
He leans in.
Just slightly.
And I do too.
The space between us disappears by degrees.
Our foreheads touch.
His breath is warm against my mouth.
Too close.
The closest we’ve ever been.
So close I could taste him.
My heart is pounding so hard I’m sure he can feel it where his hand cups my face.
I close my eyes.
His nose brushes mine.
His thumb moves slowly along my cheekbone.
Barely.
But deliberately.
