Chapter 13 - THE LOVE HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO ASK FOR
Aleandro told me he loved me on an ordinary Tuesday.
There were no roses.
No champagne.
No elaborate speech.
He was washing dishes in my tiny kitchen.
I was sitting at the table reviewing a nursing certification course.
The rain tapped against the window.
He looked over his shoulder.
“Amanda.”
I glanced up.
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
I froze.
He looked almost surprised by his own words.
Then smiled faintly.
“I hadn't planned to say it like that.”
I stared.
“While washing dishes?”
He laughed.
“Yes.”
I closed my laptop.
Then stood.
He turned off the faucet.
I approached him.
For a moment, I simply looked at his face.
The man who'd caught me on a subway.
The man who'd seen bruises I'd tried desperately to hide.
The man who'd learned that protecting someone meant allowing them to choose.
I reached for his hand.
“I love you too.”
He closed his eyes.
Then pulled me gently into his arms.
And kissed me.
May you like
Not like a man claiming something.
Like a man grateful he'd been invited to stay.
