28

My chest tightens. How can I tell him about the abusive relationship I’ve been through and the nightmares that still haven’t let go of me? I have had tremendous heartache in the past. I’m not sure if I’m ready to tell him. Or perhaps I’m afraid of how he’s going to take it.

I don’t know how he’s going to take it.

“What’s important now is you, with me,” I say and wrap my arms around him.

“I’ve just shown you my weakness; now I want to hear yours. I want to be close to you.”

“Honestly, unlike yours, nothing is exciting about my life.”

“I’m all ears. What can be more surprising than meeting a man who wears a mask?”

I snort. “You even make jokes about that. It’s not funny, Brandon. You are more than that. You are strong. You survived all of this, and you are kind, and most of all, compassionate.”

Brandon heaves a sigh and rolls to his side, so he can touch my hair. “I sound like the most perfect man in the universe.” His thumb brushes my lip.

“Because you are.” I gaze into his eyes.

He nu