His voice dropped to a whisper, dangerous, honest, raw:
"…Yes."
Liv couldn't help but smile at Jay's honest expression. He never lied, not when it came to her.
"So you were jealous," she teased quietly.
Jay didn't look away this time. His jaw tightened slightly as he answered, "Yes."
Liv blinked, stunned. She had expected denial, excuses, anything, just not that.
"Wait, you're jealous because you… love me?" Her voice trembled slightly, half in disbelief, half in shock.
Jay inhaled deeply, as if forcing himself to stay calm. "Yes."
Liv froze.
There wasn't even a pause. No hesitation. No fear.
Just that one simple word.
"…You love me?" she repeated, softer, almost breathless, as if saying it louder might break the moment.
"Yes, Liv." His voice was low, steady, painfully sincere. "I love you."
Her cheeks instantly flushed warm. She could feel her heart pounding so hard it almost hurt.
"You-" she swallowed, trying to breathe, "You said it so easily…"
