Julia's POV
The words were already out there, hanging between us like a bridge I couldn't cross back over. My heart had never beaten this hard before, and there was no taking any of it back now. This was my moment. Everything or nothing.
Gavin's face showed pure shock. He kept staring at me like I'd spoken in a foreign language, like he couldn't process what I'd just admitted to him.
I made myself keep talking. My voice came out softer than I wanted, but steady. "So what's it going to be?"
His muscles tensioned. His gaze dropped down to my mouth.
Then he made this low sound and moved closer, pressing his forehead to mine like he was battling himself inside.
"God, I want to, Julia. I really fucking want to. But this is..."
"Don't give me reasons why we shouldn't," I whispered, stopping him mid-sentence.
