POV: Leo

The words left my mouth before I could stop them. Kesley’s eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across her face. Maybe because nobody had ever said those words to her before, or because she didn’t believe them. She had been put down so many times that she just didn’t believe in love anymore.

That possibility bothered me more than it should have.

The room grew quiet again. Neither of us spoke, neither of us looked away. Slowly, I stepped closer, not enough to invade her space, not enough to touch her. Just enough that she could see I meant every word.

“You don’t have to prove your worth to...