Still, there's one thing I can't deny. One thing I need to tell her. I close my eyes and drag her against me, hugging her to my chest even as she stiffens. "I love you." Three simple words, yet they mean the world. I've never said them in this capacity. I've loved my mother. I've loved my brothers, and yes, I love Avalon. But I love no one the way I love Rylie. It's new. It's different. It's … terrifying.
