Chapter 148. Worrying About Hidden Secrets

Ellie's POV

He just stands there, tense and vulnerable. I can't help but feel a surge of conflicting emotions rile me up with every passing second of his silence. His nervousness somehow adds an endearing quality to his demeanor, but the shadow of dread in his eyes tugs at my heartstrings, stirring a sense of concern within me.

I plant my hands firmly on my hips, meeting his dominant gaze with a challenging stare of my own, silently urging him to lay bare the fears that hold him captive.

"That we should live together!" he blurts out, his words tumbling forth in a rush of desperation. "You and I. Here or in my house. Anywhere. Just..."

His voice trails off, leaving the rest unspoken, hanging in the air between us like a fragile thread waiting to be woven into something more substantial. The vulnerability in his plea touches me deeply, resonating with my own desires and fears, but more than that, I am bewildered.

Live together?

For