“I’m sorry,” I said through a lingering sob. “I didn’t…when I…” I wasn’t the type for heartfelt speeches or flowery prose, and it was a testament to how well Xavier knew me that he didn’t need either of those things to understand what I was trying to say. “You don’t have to apologize. I know.” His arms tightened around me. “All that matters is you’re here.” I lifted my head, my heart aching as I looked at the man who’d always been there for me, in one way or another, since he entered my life. “I love you,” I said quietly.
