Page 185 of Faking the Goal

"An arrogant, insufferable—"

"I get it, Trouble."

I laugh softly. "Just making sure we're working with an accurate historical record."

His mouth curves.

Then I grow serious again.

"You hurt me, Ken-chan. And for a while, I really did think that was all you were. That guy who looked at me and decided he already knew everything he needed to know about me." I pause, searching his face. "But I know you now too. Sort of."

His smile disappears completely.

"And you're not that guy. Or maybe you were, a little." I give him a pointed look. "But you're also the guy who realized he was wrong and actually did something about it. You owned up to your mistakes right away. You didn't make excuses or try to justify what you did. You apologized, and even when I wasn't ready to forgive you, you never once made me feel like I had to."

His gaze stays on mine, quiet and intent.

"And these past few days..." I trail off, my fingers tightening slightly around the stem of my wineglass. "You've been there for me through all this shit with my stalker. You listened when I needed to talk about it. You helped me when I didn't know what the hell I was supposed to do. And somehow, having someone else know what's going on has made it feel a little less overwhelming."

My throat tightens, but I manage a small smile.

"I don't feel like I'm dealing with it completely alone anymore."

Something shifts in his expression at that, but he doesn't interrupt me.

"So I guess what I'm trying to say is..." I exhale softly. "You did hurt me. But you've also given me a lot of reasons since then to see you differently. And I think holding what happened over your head forever when you've genuinely tried to make things right would be pretty shitty of me too."

I tilt my head, letting some of the heaviness leave my voice.

"Besides, you've been on your best behavior lately. I figure that deserves some kind of reward."

His mouth finally twitches. "My reward is forgiveness?"

"Don't get greedy."

A quiet laugh slips from him, and mine follows before I grow serious again.

"But yeah." I look directly into his eyes. "You've earned it, Ken-chan. I forgive you."

For a moment, he doesn't say anything.

Then his shoulders seem to loosen, like he's been carrying something there for longer than I realized.

"Thank you," he says quietly.

I smile. "You're welcome."

His gaze lingers on mine before he adds, "And for the record, you're not alone. Whatever happens next, I'm here."

And there it is again—that strange feeling he's been giving me lately. Like something inside me that has spent years bracing for the worst is slowly, reluctantly realizing it doesn't have to brace quite so hard around him.

I swallow around the sudden thickness in my throat and take another sip of my wine.

"Careful, Ken-chan. Keep saying sweet things like that and I might start thinking you actually like me."

His eyes hold mine over the rim of my glass.

"Maybe I do."