He smiled softly, leaning back slightly. "I'm not stopping," he said gently, brushing a stray lock of hair from my forehead. "Why would I? You deserve to hear it. You need to hear it."
Chow Chow barked once more, sitting up proudly between us as if she were the ceremonial witness to this strange, overwhelming praise. Her little tail wagged furiously, thumping against the floor like a tiny drum marking this bizarre, perfect moment.
I laughed nervously, hands clenching slightly in front of me. My chest felt full in a way that was almost painful. I tried to calm my breathing, but each word he spoke felt like sparks dancing across my skin, igniting something I hadn't realized I'd been holding back.
