Stella – POV

“Sorry, I meant this date,” Damon said, looking uncharacteristically nervous. I smiled, feeling a bit confused—I'd never seen him like this before. He was always so confident. “I want to ask you… would you be my girlfriend?”

“Why are you smiling?” he asked.

“It’s just… it’s cute to see you nervous,” I replied, my heart fluttering as he placed his hand on mine. “Yes, I’ll be your girlfriend.”

“I never thought confessing my feelings would be this hard,” he admitted.

“You haven’t fully confessed yet,” I whispered, glancing away. Damon stood up and walked toward me, his presence looming as he hovered close.

“I love you, Stella,”...