“I—”
“It’s okay, you don’t have to say it just because I did. I just need you to know how I feel.”
She was crying again. What did he do wrong?
She walked over and wrapped her arms around him. “I love you too.” They stood just holding on to each other until their legs were too stiff to continue. Smiling, they sat down on the couch again, a lot closer this time.
“Where’s Hunter?”
“At a sleepover with school friends until tomorrow.”
“Stay the night, then? We won’t even fool around or anything. I’ll behave. Just don’t leave.” She nodded, and he put his arm around her and pulled her closer.
They sat there watching TV for a while until he noticed she was slipping from his shoulder. Looking down, he realized she had fallen asleep. Ever so carefully, he pulled his arm from behind her, stood
