Alexander's fingers moved to open the velvet box, but Emily's hand shot out, covering his before he could lift the lid. The cold platinum of her bracelet pressed against his warm skin, his name engraved on the inside touching him directly.
"Wait," she said softly.
Alexander went still, his gray eyes searching hers with sudden vulnerability. "Emily? If you're not ready, if you need more time—"
"No." Emily moved closer, her other hand coming up to touch his face. "That's not it. I just—I need you to understand something before you open that box. Before you ask the question you're about to ask."
"What do I need to understand?" Alexander's voice was careful, controlled, but Emily could hear the fear beneath it—the terror that she might refuse, that even after everything, she might choose to walk away.
"The answer was always yes," Emily whispered.
Alexander's breath caught. "Emily—"
