I saw it the moment the words left my mouth.
If he ever told me he loved me… who was I to refuse him?
Rome went completely still.
Not angry. Just… still. Like someone had pulled the ground out from under him, but he refused to fall.
And then it hit me.
What the hell am I thinking?
The thought echoed violently inside my head. Heat rushed to my face, followed immediately by a cold wave that made my fingers tremble. Why did I say that? Why did I phrase it like that? Why did I make it sound as if I was waiting for Bern to confess?
I wasn't.
At least… I didn't think I was.
Rome's face remained cold and composed but I saw it. That slight nod. As if he accepted my words too easily.
"So that's it.." he said quietly.
There was no accusation in his tone. That somehow made it worse.
"I…" I started, but the rest of the sentence died in my throat.
