I pitch sideways and take her with me, down into the grass, gathering her close. I can't get her close enough, no matter what I do. But I try. I enfold Julia tightly in my arms and rock her, saying words into her ear I've never said to another soul. That I need her. That I'm f*****g lost without her. That I'll never let anything or anyone hurt her again. Somehow I'm still holding back those three most important words, though. They're roped to my chest because I'm not sure yet if she'll try to leave me, and if she does, she'll rip me wide open. So I hold that final part of me back, even though it doesn't feel right. Feels f*****g wrong. She should know I love her.
My thoughts narrow down to her beauty when she turns and smiles up at me, drowsy and dewy in the last rays of the sunset.
"Wha
