Page 84 of Kisses and Paperclips

She didn’t need to be embarrassed.

Not with me.

But I knew shame when I saw it—quiet, tight-lipped, and too proud to admit it.

“That’s not something that happens,” she added, eyes still locked on the plate. “It’s not like me.”

Silence fell between us.

Not awkward. Not empty.

Just… thick.

The kind of silence you don’t rush.

I leaned back in my chair, let it stretch. Let her have that moment.

Then I gave her what she didn’t ask for but clearly needed.

“I’m clean too.”

I watched her closely.

“We just… got caught up.”

She still didn’t look at me.

Not until I said—

“You’re not the only one.”

Her eyes flicked up then, unsure. Like she wanted to believe me but hadn’t decided yet.

“That’s never happened for me either,” I said, letting the words settle between us. “You’re the first.”

She blinked slowly.

Her jaw shifted like she was chewing on that.

Maybe on what it meant.

“Now I’ve got two of your firsts…” I paused, waited for her to meet me there.

“And you’ve got one of mine.”

She finally looked at me.

And damn if that didn’t do something to my chest.

I leaned in, just slightly. Kept my voice low—close enough for her, and her only.

“And I’m not ashamed of any of it. So don’t you be.”

That got her.

I saw it in the way her throat moved when she swallowed.

The way her fingers relaxed on the table, just a little.

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