Craig wasn't in a hurry to answer her question, because he could see the look in her eyes, the tremble just beneath her voice.
And God, he hated that she even had to ask.
Hated that somewhere along the way, the past few days had taught her to doubt things. That her instinct was to pull away before the blow ever came, like she'd rather bruise herself than wait for someone else to do it.
So he didn't rush.
Not because he didn't know the answer. But because she deserved better than an automatic one. She deserved the truth, exactly as it lived inside him.
He drew in a breath. Not sharp. Not shaking. Just steady, as if he needed the air to hold himself up.
"It's the realest thing I've ever felt." He said quietly, his voice didn't crack, but it sank, like it came from somewhere he didn't show people.
Her gaze dropped to the floor, in fear that if she looked at him, she wouldn't be able to hold it together.
