The pause was so long that Emmaline had to resist the urge to get up and flee.
Ashton regarded her with solemn green eyes, his expression unreadable.
Emmaline held perfectly still, like a prey in the predator's sight.
The nerves bubbled up and over, her heart feeling as if it was about to burst.
"I know, I know, you said not to fall in love with you at the start," Emmaline had never felt so vulnerable in her life.
"But," She let out a helpless laugh, "How can you be you and expect me not to fall for you?"
It was unbearable, the thought of getting rejected now. But she couldn't stop now that she had started.
She squeezed her eyes shut, "I know I'm not the best dating material, I'm-"
"-Kind and courageous, thoughtful and intelligent, strong and generally the most perfect person I've ever met," Ashton jumped in, cutting her off and finishing with his own words.
