Lily's POV
I stared at Dante across the dim interior of the car, my heart still racing from everything he’d just confessed. From the way he looked at me, open in a way that made me feel like one wrong breath could shatter something fragile between us. I wanted to say yes. The realization startled me almost as much as his question had. But wanting wasn’t the same as being ready. I was attracted to Dante without a doubt, I knew I was.
“I need time,” I said finally, my voice quieter than I intended. “I need… space to think.”
Dante didn’t move. He didn’t interrupt. He didn’t try to persuade me or soften the moment with reassurance. He just waited, giving me the room I was asking for before I even finished explaining.
“I don’t want to agree because I’m overwhelmed,” I continued, fingers tw
