Maya's POV
I said it and meant it and nothing collapsed.
That was the thing I noticed first. The specific absence of the fear I'd expected. I'd said I love you to one person before Luca and spent two years recovering from what followed. I'd told myself I'd be more careful next time. More protected. That I'd wait longer and be surer and not let it out until I was absolutely certain it was safe.
I said it to Luca and it just felt true.
Not brave. Not vulnerable. Just accurate.
Like saying the floor is new, or the window seat room has good light.
He'd said it back and told me how long, and I'd sat with that. The window seat room. The same moment. The same words. He'd known from there.
We stayed on the couch until eleven.
Not talking about it. Not performing the weight of it. Just sitt
