Elena's POV:
“You are beautiful… I can’t stop staring,” Caleb whispered, his eyes scanning mine with tenderness.
The words settled over me like warmth, slow and steady. I believed him—every part of me did—but there was something else there too, something unsaid, hovering just behind his eyes.
I didn’t dig. I didn’t ask.
I just let myself live in the moment of said words, shared feelings.
The glow bloomed in my chest, spreading outward, soft and full, until my ribs felt too small to hold it. I smiled, slower this time, grounding myself in the moment instead of questioning it.
“Thank you,” I murmured.
He shook his head slightly, his thumb brushing absently along my arm. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m just telling you the facts.”
Like that didn’t make my heart trip over itself.
I
