“I think I’m ready to carry that hope now,” I whisper. Her eyes fill with tears all over again, and when another runs down her cheek, I brush it away with my thumb. And then, I kiss her. It’s everything and nothing like our kisses before this. She tastes just as sweet, and I want her just as much, but things also feel…different. I’m not kissing her to feel something—I’m kissing her because she’s everything.
