He was pretty sure she thought he’d been asleep last night when she whispered her little confession - and he had been right on the verge of sleep - but he’d been awake enough to hear her. As long as he hadn’t dreamed it, which he’d almost feared he had. But he’d held himself still and waited until she’d fallen asleep before pinching himself, just to make sure.

Awake.

Which meant Ellie loved him. Was even willing to say it, even though she’d thought he was asleep when she had done so. But the more important thing was that she’d confessed it to herself. They’d talked about a lot of things with Dr. Amy during the session he’d attended, and Michael had quickly come to understand a lot of Ellie’s anxieties could only be resolved by her. Which was incredibly frustrating for a Dom who just wanted to fix everything, but the best thing he could do to help was be supportive and patient while she worked on readjusting her attitude and responses. She’d also asked him to point out when he noticed her withdrawing. She might need some space or a minute to decide what she wanted to do, but it did seem to help her to have it pointed out. And then they’d talk about why she’d felt the need to withdraw at that moment.

The first few times she’d talked about it, she’d seemed almost scared to, like she was afraid he was going to hear what she was saying and run screaming into the night. The more he’d listened, the more he’d just let her talk her way through it, the more comfortable she’d become. Especially after he’d become more open with her.

Told her some of his own worries. His own fears.

Like how he didn’t want to push her too quickly. How he worried about accidentally triggering another panic attack. That he was concerned she only wanted him for sex. That confession had sent her into a fit of adorable giggles when he’d forlornly confessed it, practically pouting at her with overly wide eyes. He’d only been half kidding. She’d immediately spouted off a long list of his most attractive qualities, which he’d enjoyed listening to.

Putting his car in park, Michael headed around the side of the house to the entrance to Andrew’s basement apartment. Last week, Andrew and Kate had put in an offer on a house just a street away and had it accepted, so now they were just waiting to close, which was happening next week. Till then, Andrew’s residence was still the basement apartment of his dad’s house.