“There you go.” I grab her wrist and pull her against my chest. “Look, I can’t say this whole revelation isn’t still fucking with me. Frankly, I’m still fuming and not just at you, but if you think this changes how much I fucking love you, you’re mistaken. I’m here. I’m choosing you like I always have, but you need to do the same. I can’t go through this shit again, so if you choose this—if you choose me—then that means we stand together. No matter what bullshit your dad throws at us.”

“I really am so sorry. It gutted me to say those words to you.”

“I appreciate that. But I don’t want more sorries. I want action. So what are you going to do?”

She looks up at me, her eyes glossy. “I’m scared.”

“Understandable. I’m not expecting you to not be scared or worried. You’re human and you’ve been burned before, so it makes sense. But you have to decide whether you’re gonna face your fear or continue to let it own you.”

“I…I need a minute.”

I won’t lie and say that doesn’t sting, but I get it. She’s been suffering silently for years. I can’t really expect her to just let it all go because I say so, but it hurts all the same.

I nod and move to give her the space she needs when she grabs my forearm. “Wait, don’t go. I just mean that there’s more I think I need to tell you before you say you’re all in.”

“I’ve already said—”

“I know what you said,” she cuts me off. “But I just want to get everything out in the open. I’ve told you most of it, but there’s more and I, fuck, I feel a breakdown coming.”

I reach for her but she pulls away, not to slight me but because she’s lost in her own head. “Give me a second. Stay right here.”

She rushes out of the room before I can object. I sink down on the bed and bury my head in my hands.

What feels like an eternity passes before she calls me out to the kitchen. When I get there, she’s standing by the island with her earnest eyes on me, picking her nails and shifting her weight between each leg. On the floor by her feet, there’s a blanket laid out with a bottle of chocolate syrup, a bottle of strawberry sauce, a can of whipped cream, a bottle of honey, and a bottle of champagne. Where did she even get all of this? She doesn’t eat half this shit.

“What’s going on?”

“I thought we’d try something a little different.”