"I'm scared too," she whispered.
"I know."
"What if we hurt each other? What if we're too broken to build something real?"
"Then we'll hurt each other and be broken together. But at least we'll be honest about it."
She smiled slightly. "That's a terrible romantic speech."
"I know. I'm not good at those." I stood up and moved to her chair. Knelt down in front of her so we were eye level. "But I mean it, Lena. I want to try this. Actually try. Not the contract. Not the transaction. But a real relationship with real feelings and real vulnerability. Even though it terrifies me. Even though I'll probably f**k it up multiple times."
She reached out and touched my face gently.
"Okay," she said.
"Okay?"
"Let's try. Let's be brave enough to be broken together."
I took her hand and pressed
