Page 44

“You’re very intense,” she says finally.

“I’ve been told.”

“This is how you do things.”

“Yeah.”

“All or nothing.”

“Yeah.”

Another pause.

Then—

“You said this was the last chance,” I remind her.

“It is.”

“Good.”

Her brows knit slightly. “Good?”

“I don’t need more than one,” I say. “I just need you to let me prove it.”

Silence.

But this time it’s not heavy.

Not uncertain.

Just… full.

“I hope you keep adding to it,” I add, nodding toward the list. “Because I’m not done.”

Her breath catches again.

“I’m not even close,” I continue. “And if you let me, I’m planning on having a long time to figure out new ways to show up.”

Her lips part. “You’re saying that very casually for something that sounds a lot like?—”

“Like I’m falling for you?” I finish.

She goes still.

“Yeah,” I say. “That’s what it sounds like, because it’s what I’m saying.”

A beat.

“You’re not subtle,” she says.

“No.”

“Not even a little.”

“Not with you.”

That does it. The last bit of resistance softens. It’s not gone, but it’s no longer calling the shots.