Now come,” he said. “Does your Alex love you back, or is he a hopeless idiot?” “He loves me,” she said quietly. “But I’m afraid he’ll stop after we marry. He’ll change his mind. He’ll—” “He’ll love you more. Trust me.” “Really?” She was far too somber. “Really.” He had no words to make her smile, and so Gareth tweaked her nose. And she giggled. It had been a long time since he’d laughed. But despite all those years, he still remembered how. What he’d forgotten was the lightness of his soul when he did so. The moment was perfect.

— Courtney Milan

#gareth #laura #proof-by-seduction #change