Amelie and Gabriel didn't stop until they reached his bedroom. Gabriel gently let go of her hand and turned to face her, his gaze searching her features.
"I feel... so light," Amelie said, a soft breath leaving her lips as a smile tugged at the corners. "Like I can finally breathe. And I'm sorry… that you had to hear all those things because of me."
Gabriel stepped closer. "You have nothing to apologize for," he said. "My mother's toxicity didn't start today. She's always been like that. But Amelie…" He paused, his hands lifting to rest gently on her arms. "I saw a new side of you today. The way you stood up for yourself... for your pup. You didn't flinch. You didn't hide. You were brave."
She looked up at him, breath catching slightly when his hand slid up, fingers curving around the side of her neck, his thumb brushing tenderly across her cheek.
"Say it again," he murmured in a more intimate tone. "Say you like me."
Amelie's heart fluttered.
