28

Sondra

I didn’t know how badly I’d want Nico to hold me. To promise the moon and the sun or maybe just to take charge and carry me off. Tell me I’m his and he’s tying me to the bed until I swear it.

But I have to be strong right now. I have to be a big girl and choose for me.

“I don’t know,” I whisper.

Nico drops to his knees, right there on the sidewalk. Tears blur my vision. “I need you, Sondra. I didn’t have a purpose to living before I met you. You brought light where there was only darkness. You give to me—receive me with no walls up. I don’t know how you do it, but I can’t live without you.”

“Get up, Nico,” I mumble between trembling lips. I try to tug him back to his feet. Tears track down my cheeks.

“I don’t even know what I can offer you, but I promise it will be everything I have. Everything.”

“Yes. Yes. Nico, I want you.”

He falls back and drags me down to his lap. People driving by are looking at us like we’re lunatics and I totally don’t give a crap. “You want me?” His vo