DAVE
“What… what did you just say?” Elara whispered, her voice barely audible as she pulled away from me slightly. Her eyes searched mine, as if trying to make sense of what she had just heard.
A nervous chuckle escaped me before I could stop it. Fear of rejection clawed at my chest, but I forced a shrug. “I guess I’m always the first to do everything when it comes to us,” I said lightly, trying to mask the vulnerability behind my words.
Without waiting for a response, I pushed myself off the bed, heading toward the closet. My fingers brushed over the row of neatly hung coats before settling on a nude one. “You don’t have to say it back right now,” I added, poking my head out and flashing her a quick grin. “No pressure.”
But before I could pull my coat from the hanger, she spoke.
“I d
