Ryan:
I could see the doubt still clouding Dani's eyes, a million unsaid words swirling between us, heavy like a storm waiting to break.
I wanted to reach out, take her hand, and pull her close to me. I needed to tell her how her dress hugged her body so beautifully. I wanted to ensure she knew I loved this version of her just as much as I loved the girl with paint staining her cheek. But I knew it wasn't that simple.
She wasn't ready for that yet. And I wasn't going to push her.
But damn, I wanted to.
I wanted to test every limit we both had. See how far I could push her until she shattered around me.
I wanted to tell her I saw the real her—the one behind the walls she kept so carefully built. I wanted to tell her I understood the fear and hesitation because I'd felt it, too. I w
