Serafina's POV
“I get tired,” he admitted while lowering his voice, “but I do not stop.”
I studied his face, the small lines near his eyes that only appeared when he was thinking deeply, and I felt something warm spread through my chest.
“I liked you there,” I said suddenly while the words slipped out before I could filter them.
He raised one eyebrow slowly.
“You do not like me in Italy?” he asked while pretending to look wounded.
I shook my head quickly. “That is not what I mean,” I said while leaning closer so my voice would not carry. “I liked you when you were not surrounded by noise and pressure and expectations. You were… lighter.”
He watched me carefully. “And you?” he asked while his thumb gently traced circles over my knuckles.
“I laughed more,” I admitted while smiling sl
