“When you signed those papers, I thought I was going to
lose you for good,” Giana admitted. “I couldn’t let that
happen.”
“You chose me over your fears and your pride and—”
“I had nothing to lose before I met you,” Giana cut in.
“Materially, yes, but in every other way, no.”
“I’m in awe of you too, you know.” Coralyn toyed with a
strand of Giana’s hair. She’d worn it down and it wasn’t styled
in any way. It made her look so young and vulnerable. “You’re
so fierce and protective. I love that I’m safe with you. That
everything we’re building together is safe. You call my eyes
summer eyes, but you have them too, you know. Yours are like
the endless grass under the open sky. I’m the air and you’re the
earth. Two opposites that work.”
Giana smiled so tenderly that it was almost impossible to
breathe. Coralyn’s heart clanged against her ribs. “Everything
you do is an act of love,” Giana said reverently. “Thank you
for teaching me that.”
“You’ve taught me a thing or two as well.”
“You’ve made me go soft.”
“That’s not a bad thing,” Coralyn argued playfully. You’re
still bossy in the bedroom. I’ll never cure that.”
“Cure?” Giana scoffed. “Never, because you love it.”
“I do.” Coralyn would never be ashamed to admit it again.
“In fact, we should probably continue this conversation
somewhere warm. Like at home. In the bath.”
“And you’ll probably want things like wine and candles.”
“First thing in the morning? Nah. I just want you.” She bit
down on her bottom lip. “You know, I was always kind of
scared that the dreams I had weren’t big enough, but I was