LEILA
.
.
The skepticism was real, a genuine doubt that this could work, that I could work in this context, but looking at him, at his earnest expression, I just feel like he deserves better, feeling his hand holding mine, the strong pull towards him, the warmth he radiated.
I liked him. God, I liked him so much.
He was kind, uncomplicated, he paid attention, he saw me, he made me laugh, he made me feel good.
I took a breath, letting the skepticism recede, just for a moment.
“Yes, Kai,” I said, the word clear and firm. “Yes, I will.”
He smiled, a genuine, radiant smile that lit up his face, squeezing my hand, relief and pure happiness in his eyes.
“And he gave you twenty-eight gifts?!” Sophia shrieked down the phone line later that night, after I’d gotten home, still buzzing
