Page 84 of The Enemy Face Off

"Right back at ya."

She bites her lower lip. "I have baggage."

"I have more."

"I also trust issues, Milo. Big ones."

"So do I. But…"

She squints. "But what?"

"I trustyou. I always have, right from the start, Beth. Even when I was pretty certain you hated me?—"

"Just your man bun," she interrupts, smiling.

"Right." I run my hand up and down her back. "I've opened up to you more than I ever have to anyone else in my life, and I don't fully know why."

Her fingers skim over my stubble. "Because I make you feel seen?" Her voice is barely more than a whisper.

I swallow hard. "Yeah. You do. It feels like…like you're the only one who ever has."

"Does that scare you?"

I think about it.

It should scare the freaking life out of me. I've never opened up like this, been so raw and vulnerable with somebody. I'm accessing parts of myself I didn't even know I had. I should be petrified.

So why am I so calm?

Why does this feel so right?

What is it about her that makes me feel so seen?

I curl my hands around her waist. "No. It doesn't scare me. It should. But it doesn't. I generally have good instincts about people."

"And what do your instincts tell you about me?"

"That you're special. And funny. And smart. And beautiful…no matter your size." My gaze meets hers, searching for a reaction.

I went there.

Was it too far?

I stop breathing.

She smiles shyly. "Thank you for saying that."

I exhale then curl my fingers around her waist. "I mean it."

"So, to answer your question about what I'd like us to be…"

"Yeah?"

"I'm ready to take the next step. I'm ready to go from friends…ishto friends." Her smile widens. "And leave the door open for anything else that might happen in time. How does that sound?"

"Sounds like the best thing I've ever heard you say."

"Better than my suggestion of unlimited kisses?"

---