Dane
I froze.
For the first time in a long time, I had no idea how to react. Her words rang in my ears, sharp and undeniable. I love you.
It felt like a punch to the chest, knocking the air straight out of my lungs. My body remained tense, every muscle locked in place, refusing to respond. I could feel the warmth of her pressed against me, her arms wrapped so tightly around my torso that I could feel the frantic rhythm of her heartbeat. She was trembling—whether from fear or anticipation, I didn’t know.
Slowly, I turned my head, my movements stiff, and my eyes landed on the top of her head. Her brown hair was a mess, strands tangled and wild from the events of the day. It was roughened from her constant fidgeting, from the way she absentmindedly tugged at it when she was nervous. She a
