"Don't be silly, Will. If I thought you didn't want to kiss me, I wouldn't even bring it up. But I think you do, and so you should."

Of course the three of us are in this equally together, but just for a minute, I pretend that it's only the two of us here. The words are harder to find than they were with John, because I was so sure he already knew the truth of them without my having to say them.

"I love you," I say softly, leaning close with my hand still light against his cheek.