Page 161 of Lying Is My Love Language

And then, my eyes betray me.One tear, then another.

‘Are you crying?’he asks, smiling like it’s his new favourite thing.

‘No,’ I lie, wiping my cheek.‘Someone’s cutting onions.’

‘We can take it day by day,’ he adds, leaning in.‘See where it takes us.’

I reach for his outstretched hand as he whispers, ‘Wanna get out of here?’

I nod and smile.‘I thought you’d never ask.’

We stand.My red dress catches in the breeze, his hand brushes against mine, and something shifts – quiet and seismic all at once.

This time, I don’t flinch.

This time, I let it happen.