Emilia's POV
I shook my head, still gasping for air. "No. I told you. I can't do this."
"You can." He bent down to meet my eyes. "As long as you keep trying, there's nothing you can't overcome. Give me your hand."
He stretched out his hand and waited.
I hesitated. Every cell in my body screamed at me to run to the stairs and never look back. But then I looked at his face. It was serious, patient, waiting. And I remembered the quiet in my mind when I was in his arms.
So I took his hand.
We went again.
This time, before the doors closed, he pulled my face against his chest. "What do you want to eat for lunch?" he asked casually, as if we were sitting in a park.
"Nothing," I said, my voice tight.
"Come on. You have to eat. How about barbecue? I'm not a big fan, bu
