Drew’s mouth almost moved again.
I pressed on before I lost my nerve.
“I love you,” I said.
His face changed.
Not softening.
Breaking.
Just a little.
“No,” he said quietly.
My heart stuttered.
“No?”
“No.” His voice roughened. “You don’t get to fly into the snow and say it now because I left.”
“I’m not saying it because you left.”
“You sure about that?”
“Yes.”
He stepped closer. “Because you had a lot of time, Isa.”
“I know.”
“I handed you the word in the airport. Twice.”
“I know.”
“I whispered it into your hair in Miami.”
“I heard you.”
His face twisted.
“Yeah. You told me that part.”
“I was scared.”
“I know.”
“No, Drew.” I stepped closer too, because if he was going to break me, he could do it looking at my whole face. “You know I was scared. You don’t know why.”
His eyes stayed on mine.
I drew a breath so cold it hurt.
“Tristan was safe.”
Drew flinched like I’d slapped him.
I shook my head fast.
