She and Mali start bantering back and forth with their little sarcastic digs they tend to throw at each other. But I’m too busy thinking of a way I can show her that I’m serious, and an idea comes to mind. I put my hand on Laiken’s leg and tap three times, just like we used to do. I. Love. You. Because I do love her. I’ve never loved anyone but her. I might still be working on being able to say it again, but she needs to know that I do. She notices it immediately and turns to smile at me. I wrap my arms around her and she leans back, putting her lips next to my ear. “I love you, too.”
