I love you, Anna Covey,' he said, his voice barely audible. And slowly, clumsily, he leant forward, and his lips found hers, and as Anna felt him kiss her awkwardly, she knew that she wasn't a Surplus anymore. And nor was Peter. Surplus meant unnecessary. Not required. You couldn't be a Surplus if you were needed by someone else. You couldn't be a Surplus if you were loved.

— Gemma Malley

#peter-pincent #surplus-anna #the-declaration #love