Chapter xcx

Lisa

I stayed frozen on the spot and Damon didn’t move either. My fingers had stopped on the page, but the open book was still in my lap. The quotations had ceased, but their echoes lingered between us like incense, hazy and unavoidable.

His head cocked slightly. "Lisa..."

I looked into his eyes. "Yes?"

He stayed silent but I could tell he wanted to speak. There was something on his mind. “What is it?” I asked.

He sighed, running his hands through his hair, "I'm trying to avoid saying something that I can't take back."

I took in a long hard breath and said, "Okay. Then maybe you should try to say it nicely?”

“I just don’t want you to be overwhelmed. It might be a lot for you to handle at once,” He stated.

“Okay.” I reasoned, “How about speaking really slowly? It’ll be easier to process the information if you speak slowly. I guess” I shuddered,

He let out a little chuckle. "All right." 

Then a long awkward pause stretched between us. 

“I felt like you were seeking me out. Each time you read one of those lines, it drove me crazy. As if you were reading those passages to me.

I hardly separated my lips, he went on, "I’ve tried to keep things light between us.Teasing, flirting, hell God knows I’ve tried, Lisa. Especially considering your condition. But it didn't stop, I couldn’t stop it. I can’t help it. Something has been growing and budding in my insides.”

I forgot how to breathe. In that moment, he gave me a look as if he wanted me to see everything he said before he said. 

"Lisa... I meant what I said that night at the gala. I’m in love with you, Lisa.”

There was a slight tilt to the room. Or perhaps it was just me. Everything was blurry.