I don’t have any words in response, completely overwhelmed as I am at the incredible compliment Jackson just gave me, at the impossible way that he sees me and how incredibly much he loves me. So I just stare at Jackson, and open my side of our bond completely, letting him feel all the love and pride and joy and fear that his words have raised – fear that he loves me too much, that I’ll never live up to his standards.
I can see the moment when my emotions hit him, the way his face bursts into a bashful smile, how he reaches for me. And I’m instantly on my feet, hurling myself up into his arms, him wrapping me up with a vicious snarl as he lifts me up off the ground.
“You already do, Ariel.”
“I love you too, Jacks,” I say, sniffing hard against my tears.
“We’re not supposed to cry in
