“I wish I could,” she whispers. “But I don’t have that luxury. That night was all I had. I don’t have the option to just forget who I am and lean into feeling.” “I know.” I nod. I brush my thumb across the pulse in her neck. “Just know that it’s killing me. If nothing else, if it can’t be acted on, know that I wish it could…” I pause, trying to find the right words. “If you change your mind, I want you to know that I’m not afraid of complicated, and I won’t hurt Lou. Ever.”
