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“I appreciate that you think I am, even though you know I’m not.”

He leaned in and looked her right in the eye. “You’re perfect for me.”

She put her hand on his cheek, and he leaned into her touch. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me.”

“I want to be everything you need me to be.”

“You are, and more. I can’t believe you’re here. And I also knew that if you could be, you would find a way. And you did.”

“I need you to know that I will always be there for you.”

She brushed her thumb across his cheek. “People can’t live up toalways. I don’t expect you to.”

“You should be able to expect me to show up when you’re hurt.”

“You know that thing you’re keeping from me? Is it a good reason why you wouldn’t come to me if I needed you?”

He didn’t know how to answer that for her, except that he truly believed she’d understand. “I already know you’d accept it.”

“Okay, then. Relax.”

“I don’t know how you’re taking this so well and in stride.”

“I’m a songwriter. Words have meaning to me.”

“I get that.”

“Which is why you’ve been so careful about what you say and how you say it.” She had a point.

He knew she’d pay attention to what he said. She listened. She looked for the meaning and feeling in everything.

She grabbed her phone from the bedside table and scrolled to a song.

“This is one of my all-time favorites. I always wanted this song to be what I had in my life. And then you walked into my bar, and I couldn’t take my eyes off you. Then you walked into my place and told me that you wanted me, and I knew I didn’t want to ever lose you and the way you made me feel. Happy. Loved. Safe.”

She showed him her phone.

“Safe,” by Katie Armiger.

And then she played the song and it became one of his favorites, too, because every line felt like his heart speaking to her.

When the song ended, he wrapped her in his arms, held her close, and said what he couldn’t hold inside anymore. “I love you.”

She turned and faced him, her gaze steady and filled with everything he felt inside for her reflected back at him. “I love you, too.”

They shared a kiss that was soft and warm and so filled with love that it enveloped them like a cocoon.

He leaned back and looked at her beautiful face, amazed she loved him the way he loved her.

“I wish we were somewhere else,” she whispered.

“Me, too. But you need to rest now.” He brushed his hand over her head. “Sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

“Promise.”

“I swear.”

The second he finished speaking, her eyes drooped shut. He kept her hand in his and managed to put the bedside bar down, lie on his side next to her, and enjoy being close to her.