Cassandra
I was slightly speechless at Alex's words. I didn't have to love him back? What did he mean by that? I felt confusion and fear swirl in my chest. Was that some sort of threat? He reached up and took my chin in his fingers, drawing my attention back to him. His eyes sparkled with slight sadness.
"I won't pretend that I don't want anything more than to hear you return my love, but I won't hold you to it. If you simply care for me as you have, that is good enough for me. I won't force you to feel for me as strongly as I feel for you." He pulled me closer with the arm still around my waist until my chest pressed against his. "This is all I care about. The ability to be this way with you. To hold you to my heart's content. To speak with you. To see you smile. Even if you never truly
