“What if that isn’t the case anymore? I mean, this, with us… It’s pretty good, right?”
“It’s way better than pretty good.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m not going to suddenly wake up and decide I don’t want this or you anymore.”
The vulnerability she saw in his eyes touched her heart. “How do you know that?”
“I love you, Jace. Those aren’t just words to me.”
He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers. “Those are the best words I’ve ever heard, and I love you, too.”
“You’re going to have to have some faith in me, in yourself, in this new life you’re building.”
“It might take me some time to stop anticipating doomsday.”
“I’ve got plenty of time. Do you?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“I want to spend as much of my time as I can with you. Is that what you want, too?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then we shouldn’t have any problem making this work, but you have to talk to me when you’re feeling unsettled or worried. I can’t help if you don’t share it with me.”
“I’m not used to having someone who wants to share the load.”
“Well, now you do, and the only way this works is if you let me in, Jace. All the way in. Can you do that?”
He drew back to look down at her, and she was relieved to see the tension that had gripped him for days was gone. “I can try like hell.”