“What?” “Stay,” I tell her. “That’s what you need, right? Somewhere to stay for a while?” “Yes,” she says carefully. She glances my way, staring at me curiously. “Are you sure?” I nod. A faint smile warms her face, and God, am I a fool for it. “I promise I won’t bother you,” she says quickly. “Or kiss you. Sorry. I shouldn’t have brought that up. Again. I just handle self-consciousness with self-deprecating humor, and you said me mauling your mouth with mine was nothing, but it doesn’t feel like it, and if I’m staying here, I need to feel like it’s okay between us.”
