Layla’s lips quiver before she leans forward and kisses me.
My hand slides to the back of her neck as I kiss her back, holding her there for a second before she slowly pulls away.
She cups my face, forcing a smile.
“We can figure it out, okay? We can...” Her voice cracks before she steadies it. “I know you're worried about what all this means. But we can get through it without breaking apart, right?” Her smile slips slightly. “Without going distant?”
I open my mouth to answer but stop.
Looking at her properly, I finally get it. This isn't really about my mother, it’s about us.
She's scared I'm going to pull away. That I’m going to get so deep in my own head about all of this that she ends up alone.
I cup her face and lean down, pressing a kiss against her shoulder.
Her fingers ti
