He blinked. “Dare I ask?”
I chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’m not about to fall apart on you.” I paused. “Before today, I thought letting go meant losing myself.”
Cameron’s gaze was suddenly more alert. “And now?”
“It turns out that it just means trusting the right person.”
He turned fully onto his side then, his eyes focused on my face. “You don’t have to prove anything,” he said in a quiet voice.
“I know.” I smiled. “That’s the difference.”
Cameron
I sat on the couch, sketching out an idea for a new painting, but also watching Theo. He stood at the kitchen sink, rinsing a mug, the hum of the city filtering in through the open window.
“I know when you’re staring at me,” he murmured. “I can feel it.”
“Guilty as charged.” I smiled. “I like watching you.” Especially now, when there was a new calmness to him.
Theo leaned back against the counter. “Can I ask you something?”
I sat up straight. “Always.”
He paused before speaking. “I don’t want last night to be an exception. I want it to be… a direction.”
My breath caught in my throat. “You hinted at that yesterday.”
He nodded. “I’ve spent my life leading, deciding, managing…” He shook his head, his expression rueful. “I don’t want to live there anymore.”
“So wheredoyou want to live?”
“With you,” Theo said simply. Then he added, “And sometimes—under your guidance.”
The air crackled between us.
“You’re not asking me to fix you,” I said at last.
His response was immediate. “No, I’m asking you tomeetme. To hold the reins when I offer them, and to give them back when I ask.”
My heart stuttered. “Didn’t I mention last night something about being partners?”
He smiled. “Yes, you did, and that’s exactly what I want.”
I got to my feet and closed the distance between us. I stood in front of him, my hands on his upper arms, close enough to feel his heat.
“I won’t take more than you give.” I looked him in the eye. “And I won’t disappear when you need steadiness.”
Theo’s throat tightened, and his shoulders sagged a little. “I love you.”
I exhaled. “I know. And I love you right back.” I leaned in, our foreheads meeting.
“This is so new,” Theo murmured.
“What is? Loving someone?”
“No, no that. I’m standing here, and I’m not waiting for the other shoe to drop.” He closed his eyes. “I don’t think it’s going to be easy, but right now I’m not thinking about what could go wrong.” He laughed. “In fact, for what must be the first time in my life, I’m thinking about everything that could go beautifully, joyfullyright.” He swallowed. “And you know what?” Theo straightened and locked gazes with me. “I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we’re going to make it.”
I kissed him, slow and tender. Then I smiled.