After Ava had calmed down a bit, she finally looked up at Damian, who was staring right back at her with a worried expression on his face. She wiped under her eyes quickly, embarrassed that he had seen her like this. He didn't say anything, but the way he watched her in a quiet and patient manner made her chest tighten again.
"Why don't you sit down?" he said gently, gesturing toward the bed.
She nodded and walked slowly toward it, her legs feeling unusually heavy. She sat right at the edge, her hands clasped in her lap, and he remained standing a few feet away from her, like he wasn't sure how close he was allowed to be. He waited for her to speak first, but she kept her eyes down, trying to gather her thoughts.
Finally, she let out a shaky exhale.
"Let's just… call it even, since you saved my life," she said, her fingers brushing through her hair as if that could help steady her nerves.
