There was a catch in my breath and in my chest. I could never grow tired of hearing him say that. Ever. Each time he said it, it was like hearing it for the first time, as was the realization of how utterly wondrous it was to feel that deep and to know that kind of love was returned. And I knew I would do anything to protect that.

“I love you,” I whispered.

He tipped his head back, and I thought I saw a smile as he stared up at the sky. I followed his gaze as I chowed down on a handful of fries. All I saw was the glare of the moon and different shades of black.

“Are the stars out?” I asked, hoping that he would say no, but sort of already knowing what the answer would be.

“There’s a few of them. They’re bright.” Lowering his chin, he looked over at me. “You don’t see any of them?”

Shaking my head, I shoveled the remaining fries into my mouth.

“Have you seen them since that night?” Zayne fished a napkin out of the fast-food bag as I finished off the fries. “Switch?”

“Thank you.” I handed over the empty carton and took the napkin. “No. I haven’t.”

He was quiet for a moment and then took the balled napkin from me. “How’s your vision otherwise?”

“Pretty much the same, I guess.” Clasping the edge of the warm stone, I swung my feet. “I mean, I don’t ever notice exactly when my vision worsens. It’s usually so slow you can’t really pinpoint the change.”

“But it was getting harder to see the stars before then?”

“It was.” I stared down. Other than the streetlamps and the headlights of passing cars, there was nothing but a void of darkness. “It was strange, though—how I saw all the stars so perfectly clearly. If it was real, it makes me wonder if... I don’t know, like if my father had something to do with that?” As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt foolish, so I slurped half of my drink. “I know that sounds stupid—”

“No, it doesn’t.” He touched my arm first and then my cheek. “I think it’s possible. Your father knows about your vision. Like I said before, I think your father finds ways to show that he cares—ways that aren’t always obvious.”

I smiled faintly, lowering my drink. “It felt like a...like a gift.”

“It sounds like it was.” His thumb swept over the curve of my jaw. “I wish you could see them now.”

“So do I.” I looked over at him. “But I have the Constellation of Zayne.”