“You say these things, and I have to stop myself from falling.” “If you fall, I’ll catch you.” “What if I take you down with me?” “I’ll shelter you so you don’t get injured.” “And if you’re hurt in the process?” Ellie’s voice is barely a whisper. “I can handle it.” I inch closer, my hand lifting and tucking the other side of her hair behind her ears. “What I can’t handle is causing you or Hadley pain. I want to make you happy, Angel, not make you cry.”
