She was too afraid to finish, and Dave wasn't about to finish it for her. The casual, jester-like vibe that surrounded him for the better part of the night was now perceivably gone. The gravity of what it all meant had dawned on him a moment ago.
She looked into his eyes. "Dave?"
He clammed up, leaving the talking to his eyes.
"You can't be serious," Ellie murmured, stupefied.
"Whatever."
She sat next to him, in a daze.
"Are you ever coming inside?" Jack asked after opening the patio door. "Because we'd love some company."
"Soon," Ellie said while boring into Dave.
Jack closed the door and left them to ruminate over their taboo talk.
"Dave, I love you so much, and you know—"
"Please don't. Don't... try to sugarcoat it."
"I'm not! I don't need to 'cause this is ridiculous! You're
