“I’m falling in love with you, Venus,” I blurted out in a whispered voice. The words no sooner crossed my lips than I stiffened. I hadn’t meant to speak those words so soon, honest though they were. But the powerful emotion laced with an undeniable joy on her face wiped out my blossoming tension. “Good. Because I’m falling in love with you, too, Atlas,” she whispered, her eyes filled with affection.
