Say yes. Open your eyes, see that it’s me, and say yes.

This was where she belonged. Right here with him. Forever. “I love you,” she whispered. She’d burst if she didn’t tell him, die painfully if he let her go. Emotion clogged her throat.

She bypassed the junk food aisle altogether. “Okay, Faith. Hold up.” He grabbed the end of her cart and pulled it down the aisle. Snagging a bag of potato chips, he tossed them in her cart. “Better. Let’s find you some Twinkies.

This was his punishment. An everyday reminder of his sins. He finally looked on the outside how he felt on the inside.

He’d never need a camera to remember this, and damn if he ever wanted anyone but him to see her like she was at this moment.

New hair and clothes don’t change ugly.

She’d burst if she didn’t tell him, die painfully if he let her go. Emotion clogged her throat. Helplessness ached in her stomach.

I love you, Ava. I should’ve started this whole crazy thing by saying that. I love you and I missed you like mad. It wasn’t a spell. It was you. I found home.

I want that for you more than my next breath, but at some point, I have to stop existing with people who can never love me back.

You have my word, luv.” He kissed her. “And my heart.