It might be different now.
Finally.
“I’m working on it,” I say proactively on my approach.
“Are you sure?”
“As sure as I am you’re working on healing.”
He holds his hands up in mock surrender. “Point taken. I’m not used to being stationary for so long.”
I settle on the edge of his cot with our knees touching. “Not when we’ve been on the run for the last ten thousand years.”
“I’m pretty sure it was only a week or so, but what the hell do I know?”
I reach behind him to fluff pillow mountain and help him adjust for optimal comfort.
“Mandi.” My name lands hot. “You don’t have to keep doing this. You don’t have to take care of me anymore.”
I force myself back, a blush rising when I realize I’d almost pushed my boobs right into his face. “I don’t know what else to do with myself.”
“Anything you want. You could actually pick up a hobby.”
“Hobbies aren’t really my thing.” I blink, mind scrambling to figure out what I actually like.
“But they could be. Hobbies are kinda everyone’s thing.”
I like it when he teases me this way.
As though I actually mean something to him. As though we might be something beyond this point where he doesn’t need me anymore.
Almost like he can read my mind, Grayson holds his hand out, palm facing the ceiling. Waiting for me.
Caution moves me when I don’t want it to, but I hesitate before settling my hand on top of his.
“There’s more to you than what you can do for someone else. Do you really think, now that we’re cured, things will go back to the way they were before we met?” he asks.
“Yes.” This time, there’s no hesitation. “You have college waiting for you. You have friends and a life and parents who are worried about you, I’m sure.”
“Do you want me to forget about this? About you? I remember what you said before the attack.”
There’s a decision in his words, a weight to them, but not for him to figure out. For me. The same spark snaps where our skin connects. But what does it mean?
What do I want it to mean?
“I don’t want you to forget.” I’ve already spoken some truth today. “You told me you chose me.”
The cost of speaking it all might break me, but at this point I’m so done worrying about it.
“Because I do.”
I scoot closer and the rest of the room fades. “I want to see if we can actually make something of this thing between us. I’ve felt it from the moment I met you, Grayson. I wasn’t sure what to call it but I am now.”
It’s tempting to duck my head and hide my expression from him. There’s too much vulnerability in direct eye contact.
“What is it?” he whispers.
It’s too early to be love. But it’s more than like, it’s more than a crush. “Fierce devotion,” I say instead. “I care about you deeply. I want to be with you.”