"But I want to be that man and even more. Maybe this time, we can build something even stronger."
Tears slipped down Lauren's cheeks at Steffan's words. She let out a shaky laugh as she wiped at them with the back of her hand. "You have no idea how much I've wanted to hear you say that. I was so afraid of pushing you too hard and ruining whatever chance we might have had."
Steffan shook his head. "You're not pushing me, Lauren. You've been more patient with me than I probably deserved."
They sat there in silence for a few more moments with their hands still intertwined lost in their separate thoughts.
Finally, Steffan broke the silence with a playful grin. "Now, you really should go inside and get ready. We've got a dinner to attend, and I don't want to be the one responsible for the heroine of the party being late," he joked.
Lauren laughed but almost immediately a pout appeared on her rosy lips.
"Did I say anything wrong?" Steffan asked
